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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 

















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THE 


BUSHRANGERS 

A YANKEE’S ABYENTURES 


DURING HIS SECOND VISIT TO AUSTRALIA 


BY. tX 



WILLIAM H. THOMES, 

“a RETURNHD AUSTRALIAN.” AUTHOR OF “ THE GOLD HUNTER’s ADVENTURESj 
OR LIFE IN AUSTRALIA,” ETC., ETC. 


3 ^ 


CHICAGO: 

ALEX. T. LOYD A CO. PUBLISHERS, 




'1 ^ ^ r 
'V 

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Sntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, 

LEE 8s SnEPARD, 

t« the CHerh’s Office of the District Gout of the District of Uasuschiwewss 

Copyright 1884. 

ALEX. T. LOYD & CO. 


CHICAGO. 


THE BUSHRANGERS 


CHAPTER 1. 

THE YANKEE AND HIS QUARTZ CRUSHER. — A START FOR 
AUSTRALIA. 

Heaven only knows what sent me to Australia the second 
time. I was very comfortable in Boston, for I had money, 
and it was safely invested. I had friends, or rather those 
who professed to be such. I had pleasant rooms, and a pair 
of fast horses; and men said that I was a lucky dog, and 
deserved my good fortune, and I have no doubt they were 
sincere in their expressions. 

But still I was not happy or contented. 

I missed the old time friends and companions among 
whom I had starved and suffered, prospered and grown 
rich, in Australia, as I have told the reader in my first series 
of Australian sketches.* 

I was lonesome. The bosom companion who had shared 
danger and privations by my side, was no more. I felt I 
could not settle down and remain a quiet citizen, although 
I strove to do so, and made desperate attempts to convince 
myself that I was happy. But all in vain. 

I found that my thoughts would revert to Australia, its 
gold mines, its immense prairies, extensive sheep pastures 
and flocks of sheep, its sharp business men, desperate con- 
victs, savage bushrangers, and roving police, and with the 
latter I numbered some friends; for had we not witnessed 
many a battle, and defeated some of the most desperate 
bands that roved the plains, and lived on mutton when it 
could be obtained, and starved when it was scarce? 

* The Gold Hunter’s Adventures ; or Life in Australia. 1 Vol. 12mo. 
564 pages. 40 Illustrations. Published by Donnelley, Loyd & Co. Chicago. 


10 the busheangees. 

^ All these things came to my mind, and I longed for » 
renewal of my adventurous life ; and yet I struggled in secrei 
against the fate which would consign ms to danger, priva- 
tions, and innumerable hardships. I thought of the clouds 
of blinding dust which drive the inhabitants of Australia 
frantic as it fills their eyes, noses, ears, and mouths, and 
burns the skin of the face like caustic. I recollected the wet 
winters, when rain falls as though rivers in the clouds had 
broken loose, and were determined to sweep away all vestige 
of land ; the piercing cold which is encountered on the 
mountains ; the mud ; the snakes ; the millions of insects, 
which drive sleep from the eyes of the tender-skinned ; and, 
remembering all this, I still felt as though I must once more 
visit Australia. 

When I mentioned the subject to my friends, they laughed 
at the idea. One of them advised me to marry a nice girl 
and settle down ; another said that he knew a lady who would 
suit me. After an introduction, I found that the prediction 
was false ; so, I gave up all thoughts of matrimony, for I was 
convinced that my affinity and I had never met, and that I 
must search for her if I desired a wife. 

But stiU I had not fully made up my mind that I would 
return to Australia, until, one day, I was seated in the office 
of my lawyer, when who should enter but a thin, wiry, sharp- 
eyed man, with a freckled face and sandy hair, clothes clean 
but stout and coarse, and hands which looked as though 
accustomed to toil! 

“ I want to see,” he said, in tones peculiar to certain dis- 
tricts in Vermont and New Hampshire, “ the feller what writ 
them ere Australian stories.” 

He had been told, it seems, that I might possibly be fo'md 
there. He continued, — 

“Tve a notion of takin’ a trip to that island, whar the 
gold is BO plenty that a feller can make a fortin in no time ; 
BO I want to see the feller what vrrote them stories, and get 
his ’pinion on a machine what I’ve built, which I s’pect will 
ohaw up more quartz and spit out more gold than anything 
that ever was built in these ere United States of Amereky.” 


THU YANKEE AND HIS QUARTZ CRUSHEB. U 

The lawyer pointed to me, and the visitor turned round 
with a stare astonishment. 

“ You don’t mean to tell me that you are the feller what 
dag aU that gold out there, and had sich high old times with 
the bushrangers ; do you ? ” he cried, 

“ I am the person,” I replied. 

“ Wal, rU be darned if you ain’t the man I want to see, 
and no mistake. I’m glad to shake hands with sich a feller 
as you ; now that’s a fact.” 

He gave my hand a squeeze that proved most conclusively 
he possessed enormous strength, but at the same time the 
man’s freckled face lighted up with such genuine satisfac- 
tion that I began to feel glad at having met the fellow. 

“ Now,” continued the countryman, “ will you jist take a 
look at my machine, and see if it’s good for anything ? I 
reckon it is ; and so does some fellers that has seen it ; but, 
then, they don’t know, p’aps. Will you come with me for a 
little while, and jist tell me what you think my crusher will 
do ? ” 

“ Is it far from here ? ” 

“ No, sir ; it’s jist down here, in a room what Tve hired. 
Fve practised with it. r rr' V . 
thund 
“I 

** I ' ■ • miiilVl— 

pate ui a ireat ; for I had seen hundreds of quartz- 

crushing machines, and yet never met with but half a dozen 
that would do good work or pay for the material used in 
their construction. 

We passed down the street to a machine-shop, and in a 
room that was double locked I saw a quartz crusher that met 
my ideas of what was required for the work it had to per- 
form. I cannot describe the machine without illustrations, 
and there is no necessity that I should bother the reader 
with an account of its wheels and cogs, hoppers and springs. 
It is enough if I state that it reduced paving-stones to pow- 
der, filtered the latter through a sieve, and left a few grains 


13 


THB BUSHRANGERS. 


of gold, which 1 had mixed with the stones, as they passed 
under a crusher, in a receiver, glistening as though just 
from the bowels of the earth. I had put in twenty scales of 
gold dust. I took out the same number. 

“ Wal,” asked my Yankee friend, “ what do you think 
of it ? ” 

“ It is a good machine, and will do just the right kind of 
work. In Australia a fortune can be made with it.” 

“ I rather think so,” drawled the Yankee, as though ho 
was fearful of being too enthusiastic on the subject ; and his 
calm, calculating gray eyes looked thoughtful as he surveyed 
the machine and its ponderous jaws. 

“ Is this of your own invention ? ” I asked. 

“ Wal, I reckon it is. You see. I’ve bin a sort of inventor 
all my life ; and arter I’d sold the patent of my sassenger 
machine, I jist thought I’d turn my ’tention to a quartz 
crusher. I heard a Californy chap describe one, and I 
thought I could improve on it. I worked a year on this 
thing, and here it is.” 

“ And now what do you propose to do with it ? ” 

The sandy-haired genius scratched his head as he an- 

1 ■* — pumped 

ulated its 
nd then I 

said, — 

“ I will purchase one half the patent right of the quartz 
crusher, and furnish the money for building a second one, 
and after it is constructed we will start for Australia, and 
work them in partnership.” 

The Yankee seized my hand, and shook it in an enthu- 
siastic manner. 

“ You’re the man I has been lookin’ for ! ” he cried. 
“ We’ll make our tarnal fortunes in less than no time, arter 
we has once got near a ledge of rocks what contains the 
right kind of stuff. But you is in arnest ? ” 

“ I am, and to prove it, commence work on the second 


THE YANKEE AND HIS QUARTZ CRUSHER. IJ 

machine as soon as possible ; and now we will go and looi 
over your patent and make out the papers.” 

The Yankee’s eyes lighted up at the thought of making 
his fortune. 

“ I’m your man,” he said. “ If we don’t make things 
ho jl in Australia, then it ain’t no matter ; and arter we get 
our machine in workin’ order, we’ll eat the island up but 
we’ll find gold ; ” from which remark I thought that he enter* 
tained but a slight idea of the extent of Australia. 

“ Now one question more,” I said, as we left the building. 
“ TeU me your name, and where you are from.” 

“ Hezekiah Hopeful, of Hillsborough County, New Hamp- 
shire,” was the prompt answer. 

“ Are you married ? ” 

“ Get eout ! ” was the bashful reply. “ No, I ain’t got no 
wife, but I has a gal, and when I’m rich we’U be one, but 
not before, if I knows it.” 

I was satisfied. Once in Australia, he would not be con- 
tinually moping about a wife. The more I saw of the man, 
the better I liked him. He was a rustic genius, with courage 
and fidelity, and I thought that we should have no trouble in 
performing the work before us. 

As we returned to the office, I talked with Hopeful about 
Australia, and found him a good listener ; and after I had 
concluded, I drew from him, little at a time, — for he was 
cautious and shy, — an account of his life, how he had invented, 
and lost money by the operation, until he was compelled to 
recruit his exhausted finances by working at journey work 
in a machine-shop. His father had left him a few thousand 
dollars at the time of his death ; this was gone, and some 
hundreds with it, and yet Hopeful assured me that he had 
invented some useful articles, such as the “ Patent Flying 
Clothes Horse,” “ The Enlightened Mouse Trap,” “ The En- 
chanted Wash Tub,” “ The Baby’s Delight,” a sort of swing, 
on the perpetual-motion order, so that mothers could leave 
their pets for some hours without trouble. 

All of these inventions Hopeful said were patented, but 
he did not hold the rights, on account of his being, compelled 


14 


THE BUSHBANGEB9. 


to sell as soon as completed, for the want of money, although 
my new-found friend acknowledged that some parties had 
made fortunes through his aid. 

“ But they don’t come it any more, Til be goU darned if 
they do,” cried Hopeful, with an angry gesture. “ K my 
quartz crusher works like all thunder, and gobbles up the 
gold and spits it out like fun, I shall make somethin* out of 
it ; shan’t I ? ” 

“ A fortune, I hope,” I answered. 

“Is we goin’ into the thing on equal shares?” asked 
Hezekiah, after a moment’s thought. 

“ Yes, if you are disposed to accept of me as a partner, 
m buy one half of your patent, and you shall name the 
price. I’ll furnish the money for the new machine, and the 
funds for a passage to Australia, and run my own risk about 
payment. How does that suit you ? ” 

IVIr. Hopeful uttered a crow of satisfaction as he ex- 
claimed, — 

“ m have to write to Martha about this ; and she’ll yell, I 
know ; but she’ll be glad too, ’cos the critter always is when 
I’m in luck.” 

“ Who is Martha ? ” 

Hopeful looked at me from the corners of his gray eyes, 
as though doubtful if it was proper to trust me with so im- 
portant a secret ; but at length he said, — 

“ She’s a gal.” 

“ I supposed so.” 

“ And a plaguy handsome gal she is, too. There ain’t a 
handsomer one in all Hillsborough County, now I teU you.” 

“ And this girl you would marry if you had the money to 
•upport her ? ” 

“ I reckon ; ” and then Hopeful burst from his reserve, as 
he exclaimed, “ GoU darn it ! the gal is too good for me, I 
know, cos she has got a dad what is worth ten thousand 
doUars. I teU you, he’s got the putty, and jist *cds he has, 
he don’t want me to hitch on to Martha. She’s bin wiUin’ 
for a year, but her folks ain’t, ’cos they say Fm only a genius, 
and won t be worth a darn cent. Yes, sir, it was on account 


THE YANKEE AND HIS QUAETZ CBUSHEE. 14 

of Martha I invented my quartz crusher. A Californy chap 
helped me with the idea, and I thought if I could sell ’em 
the gal would be mine.” 

We soon finished the business that took us to the lawyer’s, 
and before night Hopeful was hard at work in a machine- 
shop, superintending the casting of wheels, pulleys, and 
massive pieces of iron beds ; and, while he was doing his 
part of the work, I was getting ready for the voyage to 
Australia. I engaged a passage in the clipper ship Morning 
Light, Captain Keelhaul, who swore by his maintopmast 
that he would make the passage from Boston to Melbourne 
in ninety days, or carry all the spars out of the ship, and 
ruin one or two insurance companies. I collected and boxed 
up such articles as experience told me would be useful. I 
laid in a good stock of tobacco, a keg of pure brandy, a 
tent, a good supply of ammunition, and the saddles which I 
had brought home with me, confident that I could find none 
in Melbourne or Sydney that would compare with them for 
comfort or convenience. 

At last Hezekiah announced that his second machine was 
ready and boxed up, and the day after the quartz crushers 
were stowed away in the hold of the Morning Light, and 
Hopeful was on his way to Hillsborough to have a parting 
interview with Martha, to tell her that he would be faithful, 
and beg of her to remain the same, — to shed some tears, to 
dry them, and to inform the young lady’s parents that he 
should return with lots of money, and to receive an answer 
on their part mat they would like to see it, merely out of 
curiosity, if nothing more. But, from what Hez let out, I 
think he was quite satisfied with all that transpired at Hills- 
borough. Perhaps Martha was more tender than he expect- 
ed. At any rate, I noticed that he had a daguerreotype in 
his hands quite often, and once or twice I saw him kiss it 
with frantic devotion and very moist eyes. 

But time passed rapidly, and at length we were ready to 
sail. All of my friends were taken leave of, and all of them 
promised to write quite often — pledges which it is useless 
to say were not kept, except by one or two men who had a 


1 « 


THS BUSHBANGEBS. 


personal regard for me, and without the slightest expecta* 
tions of being remembered^ in my will. 

“ All aboard, gentlemen,” roared Captain Keelhaul, one 
bright morning in the month of October, as we stood on 
Lewis’s Wharf, and saw that his topsails were sheeted home, 
and that all were ready to cast off the lines as soon as the 
pilot gave the word. 

“ Come, Hopeful,” I said, as I laid a hand on the shoulder 
of the genius, and pointed to the ship. 

“ I’m ready,” he answered ; “ but it’s an all-fired dose, to 
leave home ; now ain’t it ? ” 

“ Not when you are used to it,” I answered. 

“ Yes, I know you don’t care, ’cos you ain’t got no gal or 
wife ; but I tell you it is tough on me, what leaves a heart 
and bright eyes. If you don’t believe it, jist you try it.” 

“ I will, some time, but not now.” 

Hopeful took a long look up the wharf, and a glance over- 
head, as though he hoped to see a familiar face before he 
separated himself from the world, and then gulping down a 
deep sigh, he stepped on board the vessel, and the next 
moment the lines were cast off, and the Morning Light was 
heading down the harbor, under the influence of a five-knot 
breeze from the westward. 

“Come, gentlemen,” cried Captain Keelhaul, who had 
nothing to do as long as the pilot was on board, “ I’ve got 
one of the best bowls of punch mixed that man ever tasted. 
We must get acquainted over it. Walk into the cabin, and 
let us drink to a successful voyage and a quick one.” 

On the whole, I rather liked the appearance of the pas- 
sengers, and when I was called upon for a sentiment I said 
80, and for half an hour we talked and drank punch j at 
the end of which time the breeze had freshened, and I felt 
the motion of the ship, and so did the young fellows who 
were near me ; for I noticed that they no longer smoked 
with an apparent relish, that their cigars went out for the 
want of suction, and that some pale cheeks began to appear 
around the board. 

Gentlemen, cried Captain Keelhaul, on whom the punch 


A 8TAET FOE AUSTBALIA. 


11 


had no more effect than if it had been emptied into the 
harness cash, “one glass more, and then we will go on 
deck.” 

Only by the most determined spirit were some of tl em 
enabled to comply with the request; and as soon as the 
liquor was worried down, there was a rush for the deck, a 
decided tendency to look over the ship’s side, as though 
something of an attractive nature could be seen in the water ; 
and, after some internal commotion had been subdued, my 
fellow-passengers retired to their state-rooms, and were no 
more seen on deck for a week’s time. As soon as I left the 
cabin I searched for Hopeful, and found him paying tribute 
to Neptune. 

“ How long,” he asked, “ must I suffer with this gol darned 
sickness ? I feel as though I should throw up my boots.” 

“ It wiU depend upon yourself.” 

“ Then Til be well to-mojrow, sure.” 

But he was not well, or so that he could eat his rations, 
for a week ; and then we were across the Gulf Stream, and 
steering for the coast of Africa. 

I do not mean to tell the reader of the fun that we had on 
board, of the calms that we endured, of the gales that we 
encountered, of the petty quarrels that occurred among the 
passengers, of the good nature of Hopeful, who was a favorite 
fore and aft, and thought seriously, before we had be(m out 
six weeks, of constructing a steam engine and propeller, so 
that we could make headway during a calm. He gave up 
the undertaking when he found that the cook could not spare 
one of his coppers to be used as a boiler, and that Captain 
Keelhaul would not allow the spare iron to be hammered up 
for the purpose. All of these things I need not teU, for I 
know that the reader is impatient to land at Melbourne ; and 
one morning in the month of January we dropped anchor in 
Hobson Bay, opposite the village of Williamstown, and our 
voyage was ended, for the land of gold was near us ; and 
BO were some of the iU-dressed vagabonds of the landing, 
for they swarmed off to us and came on board, clamorous 
for money, whiskey, or tobacco, while the work which they 


18 


THE BUSHRANQBES. 


proposed to do in return for sncli favors was of a very 
slight nature, and not such as called for an outlay of much 
strength. 

“ Is that what you call Australia ? ” asked Hopeful, as he 
looked at the boatmen with a species of awe. 

“Yes, Hez; here we are, safe, in just ninety days from 
Boston. What do you think of it ? ” 

“ I was thinking,” replied the genius, in a thoughtful tone, 
“ whar in all creation they got their old clothes from.” And 
this was Hezekiah’s comment on his first introduction to the 
oheerftd, refined, and intensely honest people of Australia. 


CHAPTER n. 

WE AEBIVE AT MELBOUENE, AND MEET OLD FEIENDS. 

Feom the time I left Melbourne until my return was just 
three years ; consequently many changes had taken place, 
and many new faces had crowded out the old ones which I 
had been accustomed to see. Among the boatmen, I did 
not notice a man whom I had known in former years, and I 
must confess that I felt a little homesick to find that such 
was the fact, although I did not allow the feeling to manifest 
itself ; for I knew that Hez was just about as miserable as a 
man could be, and not shed tears like a child. While I was 
packing my trunks, and thinking how I could get my tobacco 
on shore without paying duties, the custom-house officers 
came on board and took charge, and following them was a 
steamer to take the passengers and luggage up the river to 
Melbourne. 

“ Now, then; gents,” shouted a fat and wheezy English- 
man, who seemed to be a custom-house inspector, “just 
rouse your luggage on deck, and let us have a look at it. 
No tobacco, gents, and no cigars. You Americans are fond 
of the weed, but you mustn’t smuggle.” 


AEBITAL AT MELBOUBNE. 


19 


“ Y on hear him,” cried Hopeful, with staring eyes. “ Yon 
can’t get that ’backer on shore. Don’t yon attempt it.” 

I laughed at his fears. I knew Australian officials much 
better than he did. My trunks were passed on deck, and I 
thought were going on board the steamer without an exam- 
ination ; but I was mistaken. 

“ Open ’em sir,” cried the official. 

“ Nonsense ! ” I replied, and tipped the wink ; but to my 
surprise the fellow did not respond, for he whispered, “ I 
can’t do it, sir, ’cos there’s a keen purlice lieutenant on 
board the steamboat, and he’s watching me.” 

I looked up and saw a fine, soldierly-appearing man, with 
the uniform of a lieutenant of police on his back, standing 
near the guards of the steamer and composedly smoking his 
pipe, while his eyes were turned towards me. I thought 
that the man’s face appeared familiar, and I glanced at it 
two or three times, and endeavored to recall it to mind, biit 
could not ; and I commenced to unlock my trunks, when I 
heard a peculiar sound, such as I had not heard for three 
years, or since I had given up hunting bushrangers and gold 
digging. 

In an instant I looked up, as suddenly as though I had 
been warned by the tail of a rattlesnake. In fact, under 
the excitement of the moment, I sprang to my feet, and laid 
my hand on my revolver, while I glanced around in a hur- 
ried manner ; for the signal which I had heard meant that 
there was danger near, and that I must be prepared for it. 
It was a peculiar hiss which the police force had adopted to 
communicate with each other while in search of convicts 
who had escaped to the bush. 

As I said before, I looked aloft, and then around the deck, 
but saw nothing to attract attention ; and I began to think 
that I must be mistaken, and was just on the point of hand- 
ing my keys to the custom-house officer, who manifested 
some impatience, when the second signal was heard, sharper 
than before. 

“ There is no deceptian this time,” I muttered, and in- 


20 


THK BUSHRANQEBS. 


stantly replied to it; for I knew the answer aa well as thf 
cavalry soldier knows the blast of the trumpet. 

As I did so my glance fell upon the lieutenant of police, 
I saw a smile pass over his face, and the next instant he 
had left his high position on the paddle-box, and was stand- 
ing on the deck of the Morning Light, by my side, with his 
strong, sunburnt right hand extended, as though desirous of 
giving me a warm welcome. 

*• Your honor recollects me ? ” the officer asked. 

“I have seen your face before, but I can’t call your 
name,” I replied. 

“ And to think that you should forget me, after all the 
fights we have mixed in,” the officer cried, in a reproachful 
tone. “ I am sure that your friend would not.” 

“ You mean Fred ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ Ah ! he is dead.” 

“ A brave man has gone to his final account,” cried the 
officer, reverentially ; and he removed his official cap, and ex- 
posed his head, and as he did so his name flashed across my 
memory like lightning. 

“ Maurice ! ” I cried, and seized his extended hand. 

“Yes, sir, that is my name, and very thankful I am that 
you have not forgotten it. I thought that I knew you, but I 
was not sure ; so I tried the signal, for I was positive that 
you would not forget that. Ah, how many times we have 
used that, and successfully, too ! ” 

“ I recollected your face — I was positive that I had seen 
it ; but it is so many years since we have met, that you must 
pardon me for not calling your name as soon as you spoke.” 

“ Lon t say one word,” cried the officer ; “a man who has 
proved himself as good a friend as you have, need not 
apologize.” 

I smiled and bowed, for I did not know to what he alluded, 
and I thought that it was best to remain quiet until he gave 
the cue. 

“ Yes, sir,” continued Maurice, who had served in the 
Australian police force for many years, and was a sergeant 


▲ MEETING WITH OLD FttlENDS. Sa 

»t the time of my former visit, to you I am indebted for 
my present position. You recommended me for the office, 
and I got it in less than three months after you left us. 
You shall find that I am not ungrateful.’^ 

Don’t mention so slight a service. I am sure that you 
deserve all that you got, and more too ; for I have seen you 
under fire, and you stood it like a hero.” 

“ Ah, those were times for men like us. Now nothing if 
doing. The bushrangers can kill and rob, and nothing is 
done towards rooting them out. They don’t care for ua 
‘ traps,’ and laugh if we talk of hunting them. Four weeks 
ago, ten convicts, transported for life, escaped from the 
hulks, and are now on the road, eating mutton, killing miners, 
stopping the mail, and raising thedeucegenerally. I offered 
to take a squad of men and hunt them out of the bush, but 
I can’t get the chance.” 

“ But where is Captain Murden ? He used to be fond of 
such adventures. He has not grown old and stiff, I hope.” 

“ Ah, sir, it is because he is no longer a captain that such 
things are permitted. I suppose that you know he is dis- 
charged from the force ? ” 

“ No ; this is the first intimation that I had of it.” • 

“ Come here one moment, sir,” the officer said, as he mo- 
tioned for me to move towards the cabin, where Hopeful 
stood with eyes greatly distended at the fact of my meeting 
an old acquaintance. 

“ Well, give me the keys of your luggage, so that I can 
search your boxes,” cried the custom-house officer, as we 
moved towards the quarter-deck, where the crowd was not 
so great. 

“ What do you say ? ” demanded the lieutenant, turning 
cpon the pursy custom-house officer with an expression of 
surprise. 

“ Why, I want to search the gentleman’s luggage, you 
know.” 

“ Search the deuce! What do you mean ? Put it on 
board the steamer, and don’t disturb a single article.” 

“ But our orders — ” 


THK BUSHEANGBE8. 


S3 

“ m take tke responsibility,” cried Maurice. “ His lug* 
gage contains nothing but such as I can vouch for. If you 
knew the gentleman you would say so.” 

“ One moment,” I whispered to Maurice. “ I have some 
twenty pounds of costly smoking-tobacco in one of those 
boxes.” 

“ I am glad of it, and I wish that you had twice as much ; 
for I hope that you wiU remain with us for some years, and 
that we shall have many quiet smokes together. Ah, if we 
could have a few more expeditions, what fun we should 
have ! ” 

“ Don’t tempt me,” I said. “ I have come here to crush 
quartz, not bushrangers. If Fred were alive I might do 
something for you, and with you ; but now I don’t feel 
enthusiastic.” 

“ What, not even to restore Mr. Murden to his rank of 
commissioner ? ” asked Maurice, with an eager look. I was 
silent, for I liked my former friend too well to refuse or 
make a rash promise. 

“ Let me tell you how Commissioner Murden lost his po- 
sition, and then you can think what can be done to restore 
him to his former rank. You see he was appointed, after 
you left us, for good conduct in breaking up Black Darvil’s 
and Darnley’s bands, and ridding the country of such pests. 
You know what trouble we had in clearing them out ? ” I 
nodded, for I recollected the circumstances quite well. 

“Well, hlr. Murden earned his promotion,” continued 
Maurice, after a pause, “ and there was not a man in the 
force but was rejoiced when he was appointed commissioner, 
because we knew that he would do what was right with the 
force under his charge. He had a roving order, went where 
he pleased, remained away as long as he pleased, and re- 
turned when he pleased. Of course I was with him and the 
force he commanded, and a good time we had of it. We 
were aU growing rich, for we divided on the square — ” 
At this point of the narrative I smiled, and I could not help 
it, for I recollected several dividends in which I had had t 
large share. 


A MEETING WITH OLD FBIENDS. 2S 

t), may laugh,” cried Maurice, “ but it was a divi- 
iend vhat dost Commissioner Murden his head. You see, 
we had driven the bushrangers all out of Victoria, and sent 
them flying in terror towards Sydney ; but one fellow gave 
us some trouble, for he was mounted on the best horse that 
was ever raised in the colony, and we might chase him all 
day, and still not overtake him. But at last we come the 
woman game over him. You know what that is, I sup- 
pose ? ” 

I nodded. It meant that some good-looking girl, a con- 
vict, and perhaps sent to AuJtralia for life, had received the 
promise of a ticket of leave, or a pardon, if smart, if she 
would manage to inveigle the bushranger and deliver him up 
to his enemies. 

“ We found a smart wench, and put her on a sheep farm, 
and told her to keep her eyes open. She did. The bush- 
ranger, one day, while sweeping down for a fat lamb, caught 
sight of the girl, and that settled him. In three days we 
had him ironed, hands and feet ; and then we began to tease 
him, just to find out where his gold dust was stored, for we 
knew that he had an awful lot of it somewhere, for he had 
been in the bush for nearly two years.” 

“ You mean by teasing,” I said, “ that — ” 

“Just so,” replied Maurice, with a cool smile. “We 
were not permitted to torture prisoners to find out their 
secrets, and as this fellow refused to tell where his money 
was stored, we just laid him down near an ant-hill, and let 
(dm rest while we cooked dinner.” 

“ That was horrible,” I muttered. 

“ I know ; but what could we do ? He wouldn’t utter a 
word nor make a sign ; so we put him near the ant-hill, and, 
would you believe it, the man did not whimper for half an 
hour. At the end of that time he began to groan, and turn, 
and twist, and in three quarters of an hour ho shouted for 
mercy, and promised to tell all that we wanted to know. 
Ah, there’s nothing like an ant-hill to bring a man to hii 
senses.” 

“ And you found the place where the dust was stowed ? ” 


14 


THjC BUSHEANQJEBb. 


“ Yes, and made a good thing out of it. We divided fir# 
hundred pounds each, and returned to the government two 
thousand pounds, or nearly ten thousand dollars, which, you 
will admit, was liberal.” 

“ Of course.” 

“ And not only that, we brought in the prisoner ; but the 
cove was ungrateful, for he told the court that we had robbed 
him, and the court ordered an investigation, instead of laugh- 
ing at the charge. Well, one of our fellows, who was never 
fit for a policeman, while in his cups split on us, and made 
a confession; and that is the way Commissioner Murden 
lost his head.” 

“ Is he stopping at Melbourne ? ” 

“ 0, yes, and has petitioned for reinstatement ; but he 
has not had a hearing, and I don’t think he wiU, unless he 
can bring strong influence to bear.” 

“ In the mean time the bushrangers are on the rampage 
between Melbourne and Ballarat ? ” 

“ Yes, sir. As soon as they heard that Murden was off 
duty, they came back to their old quarters, and remained 
there in force ; for when a platoon or company is sent 
against them, they scatter in all directions, and we return 
home.” 

“ But how does it happen that I find you on the water, 
instead of doing duty on the land ? ” 

“ Simply because the officer who has charge of this kind 
of business is sick, and I was detailed to take his place. 
I am glad I came, for I have the pleasure of meeting 
you.” 

I bowed, and as the baggage was all on board the steamer, 
there was nothing to detain us on the Morning Light. I 
shook hands with Captain Keelhaul, promised to see him at 
Melbourne, and then Hez, Maurice, and I went on board the 
steam tug, the lines were cast off, we steamed past Williams- 
town, entered the river, and in a short time were moored at 
the docks, if such they can be called, of Melbourne. 

“ Will you go to a hotel, or drive direct to Mr. Murden’i 
house ^ ” asked the lieutenant. 


A MEETING WITH OLD FRIENDS. 


25 


“ Thank you,” I said. “ I knoTf something of Melbourne 
hotels. I have even stopped at them when I was in Aus- 
tralia on my first visit.” 

“ Pardon my forgetfulness,” cried the police officer. “ I 
did not think of that. You know all about high charges, 
peer fare, bad accommodations, and the bugs.” 

“ I should think that I did.” 

“ Then you must go to a private house, or else stop with 
Mr, Murden. He can accommodate you. He is not mar- 
ried, has a good establishment, and a well-stocked cellar. I 
know that he would like to have you visit him.” But I 
thought that it was rather rude to force myself on a man 
without an invitation ; so I concluded to take lodgings, as 
the cheapest and most convenient way of living while we 
remained in Melbourne, 

“ I know just the place that will suit you,” cried Maurice ; 
and he held up his hand for one of the numerous carts near 
the steamer to approach. The dray was loaded, and started, 
and we followed on, through some of the principal streets, 
until we stopped at a respectable-looking house. 

“ Here is the place for you,” said Maurice. “ Off with 
the load.” 

We found the woman who had charge of the house willing 
to receive us at a reasonable compensation, and in a short 
time we were installed in our apartments ; and then Maurice 
took his leave, promising to call and see us in the course of 
the evening. As soon as he was gone, Hopeful lighted his 
pipe, and sat down opposite to me. 

“ Wal,” he asked, “ what is the next move ? ” 

“We can’t move until the cargo is out of the ship. We 
must remain here until our quartz crushers are landed, f-jid 
then we will see what we can do with them.” 

“ And you still think our prospect is good ? ” 

“ Of course.” 

“ Wal,” said Hez, with a sigh, “ I don’t know as I feel as 
hopeful as I did when I was in Boston ; but if you think it’s 
aU right, then I s’pose it is. But it don’t seem to me that 
they is making much fuss about the gold here.” 


36 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


“ WLat did you expect ? ” 

“ Wal, I s’posed that every man I seed would have a bag 
fuU on his arm, and that the shop winders would be full of 
it. But I ain’t see no gold as yet, and I am fearful it hag 
all been dug out and carried off.” 

“ Patience, Hez,” I replied. “ You will see gold in the 
course of a few weeks, and I hope that in that time we shall 
•wn somB.” 

“ I hope so, too,” Hez replied ; but he was not in a hope- 
ful mood, and I saw that his thoughts wandered back to the 
cherry-cheeked damsel of Hillsborough County, and that he 
was a little homesick, and would like to have had a good cry, 
but his manliness had come to his aid, and prevented the 
tears from falling. I saw what was wanted, for I had felt 
the same sensations many times i so, I opened our trunks, 
gave Hez a good dose of whiskey, put^a pipe in his mouth, 
and commenced relating some of my former exploits in the 
land of bankruptcy and gold. I soon saw smiles on my 
friend’s face, and was warmed up in good style, when I 
heard steps on the stairs, and the next instant a knock on 
the door. 

** Come in,” I shouted ; for I thought that it was some one 
belonging in the house. 

The door opened with a crash, and in rushed my old friend 
Murden, the very man I wanted to see of all others. He 
seized my hand, and for a moment neither of us could speak, 
BO overpowered were we by emotion ; but, while we were 
waiting for words to come, we scanned each other’s faces 
mth much interest. I saw that Murden had changed but 
little during the three years that we had been separated ; 
that his eyes still retained their fire ; that his face still looked 
determined and resolute ; that his form was wiry as ever, 
and just as capable of receiving and giving hard knocks as 
when we roamed together on the banks of the Lodden. 

“ Well, of aU the men in the world that I desire to see 
most, you are the one,” Murden remarked. “ Why, it was 
only this morning that I commenced writing a letter to you, 
and begging that you would once more visit Australia. Half 


THE STOLEN DIAMONDS. 


at 


an hour since, Maurice walked into the house, ana informed 
me that you were here, and I hastened to meet you as sooi 
as I had made a few preparations for your supper. Come, 
pack up. A dray is at the door to take your things. My 
house is your home, and at no other place shall you remain 
quiet.” 

“ But, my dear sir — ” 

** No excuses. Call the woman up, and pay her for the 
rooms for a week’s time, and then we will be off.” 

I saw that remonstrance was useless ; so, after introducing 
Hez to Murden, I paid for our lodging, and then followed 
Murden to his comfortable house, and was instated in neat 
apartments ; and while I was dressing for supper, or dinner, 
— for it was just six o’clock, — Murden came to my room 
and talked with me. 

“Maurice has told you the particulars of my discharge 
from the service,” he said, “ and now I want your help to 
get restored. You are still remembered at headquarters, 
and your good word will do much for me. But there is 
another plan which will accomplish the object, if fair words 
fail, and I will let you into the mystery of the matter.” Just 
at that moment, dinner was reported ready, and we proceeded 
to the table. 


CHAPTER m. 

THE STOLEN DIAMONDS. — THE LOVELY BAB-MAID AND 
HEK FATHEB. 

It was very evident that Murden did not neglect his tabl«, 
even if he was out of employment ; for I saw all the fruit of 
the season on his sideboard, and several bottles of wine 
cooling in ice, while the ware upon the table was the richest 
china, with several pieces of silver scattered around; but 
as none of the silver matched, I was at no loss to account 
for the manner in which it was obtained ; and in fact Mur* 


THE BUSHSANGEBS. 


ie 

den made no secret of the fact that he had taken the plate 
from bushrangers during some of his excursions. 

“ And they obtained it from — ” 

“ How should I know ? ” was the answer. “ They stole 
it, of course ; but I did not hunt for the owners after I had 
recovered it. I needed a few pieces of ware to decorate my 
table. I did not feel like buying, and I had no occasion to. 
Ilut come, the soup is growing cold.” 

We sat down to dinner, Hez wondering at the good fortune 
which had befallen us, and willing to do justice to the cheer 
spread before him ; but after the dessert was set on the table, 
and the wine had circulated two or three times, Murden 
spoke on the subject nearest his heart, although he first sent 
the servant out of the room with the following advice : 
“ Tom, jeave the room ; and remember that I intend to talk 
confidentially to these gentlemen. If I catch you listening 
at the door. I’ll cut off your ears, and send you back to the 
iiain-gang. You know me.” 

“ Yes, sir,” was the only reply ; and the man left the room 
apparently impressed with the conviction that Murden would 
keep his word. 

“ Now, my dear fellow,” said Murden, as he filled the 
glasses and lighted a cigar, “ let me tell you that I am 
anxious to be restored to my position as commissioner ; 
because, in the first place, I had no idea that I should lose 
it, and after it was lost I felt as though I should regain it 
In the second place, the position is profitable, and gives one 
a rank that cannot be obtained in any other branch of the 
government, unless one goes in for some of the high offices; 
and I’m not fit for that, you know.” 

“ How do you propose to get back ? ” I asked ; “ and how 
can I be of service to you ? ” 

“ Listen, and I’ll tell you. Your deeds, and those of 
your brave companion, poor Fred, are not forgotten by the 
government. They are treasured up and talked over, and 
compared with the dashes of the police of the present day ; 
and I need not say that every fresh bushranger outrage is 
the signal for tongues to commence wagging, and then your 


THE STOLEN DIAMONDS. 


29 


name is mentioned. Now, such being the case, it stands to 
reason that you must have influence with the government, 
and that a word from you would set me all right.” 

“ You shall have half a dozen words if you want them,” I 
answered, with a laugh. “ Why, you know that I would do 
all in my power for your restoration.” 

“ Thank you. I not only want a word or two, but I de* 
sire a litthe*of your assistance in another direction ; and if 
your friend here can do something to aid me, so much the 
better.” 

“ Darn me if I don’t do all I can,” cried Hqz, on whom 
the wine was operating, and who forgot his homesickness 
for the moment. 

“ Thank you. I supposed that you would. Try one of 
those oranges ; after a long voyage they taste delicious.” 

Hez complied, and then Murden continued, sinking his 
voice to a whisper, “ Let me tell you how I expect to get 
reappointed. A week ago some ticket-of-leave man or per- 
son whose time is out entered the government house, and 
stole all the diamonds belonging to the wife of the lieuten- 
ant-governor. They are worth some five thousand pounds, 
and of course no woman likes to lose such jewels ; so for 
days and nights the police have been on the watch in hopes 
that they will turn up ; but thus far no one has been lucky 
enough to lay hands on the thief, or thieves, or the precious 
stones.” 

‘‘ Probably the scamp has run to Sydney with them,” I 
remarked. 

“No, I think not; for the roads and boats have been 
watched, and not a suspicious character has left the city 
without being thoroughly searched.” 

“They may have gone to the mines — to Ballarat or 
Bathurst,” I suggested. 

Murden shook his head as he replied, “ The police in that 
section of the country have been on the watch, and they 
would not fail to find the jewels if they had been taken to 
the mines.” 

“ Then of course you think that the diamonds are in tho 


80 


THE BU5HEANGEB8. 


city ; that the robber or the party who took them haa not 
left town.” 

“ Such is my opinion,” responded Murden ; “ a:id I will 
tell you why I think so. In the first place, the rogue — and I 
have no doubt that he is a cunning one — would naturally sup- 
pose that every person leaving the city would be watched. 
Such being the case, a crafty rascal would argue that it if 
better to remain quie^t for a few weeks, or until the affair 
has blown over, than run any risk by leaving in a hurry. In 
the second place, diamonds of much value cannot be sold in 
Australia without exciting suspicion and an investigation. 
They must go to England to get rid of them at a fair price, 
for the Jews of Melbourne would not think of paying one 
tenth part what they are worth. You follow me in my argu- 
ment?” ^ ^ 


“ Yes ; I think that you are sufficiently lucid.” 

“ Well, then, pass the bottle to your friend, and we will 
wet our lips; for talking is dry work, at the best. At 
the same time light one of these fresh cigars — they are 
genuine Havanas, and were given me by a Spaniard to whom 
I did a little service a year or two ago. You will like them, 
for the tobacco is rich and agreeable.” 

We performed our allotted parts in a short time, and as 
the white clouds of smoke encircled our heads, Murden con- 
tinued : “ Now, if I could find those diamonds, my restora- 
tion to rank would be certain and speedy, for I should refuse 
the reward which the governor has offered, and which has 
set all the of Melbourne on the alert. I should decline 
the reward,” said Murden, after a moment’s thought, and 
with an honest expression of countenance, “ because I know 
that I could make much more in my old position with one 
month’s successful foraging.” 

“ You are candid,” I remarked. 

“ I am with friends, and with one who has shared with me 
b many a spoliation. Why should I not express myself in 
plain terms ? ” 

“ ’Specially if there’s money to be made,” cried HopefuL 
pricking up his ears. 


THI STOLEN DIAMONDS 


di 

‘ Just so,” replied Murden. “ Restore me to rank, and 
m warrant that we find something worth picking up.” 

“ We will do what we can for you ; but you must remember 
that we came here for hard work, and not for bushranger 
hunting. We are going into the quartz-crushing business, 
and have machines for that purpose.” 

“ And I know where the richest quartz veins in the coun- 
try are to be found.” 

“ Whar ? ” asked Hez, with his usual bluntness. 

Murden smiled, and did not reply directly. “ The in- 
formation will come in due time. But we will not talk of 
the matter now. Let us settle the diamond question first.” 

“ Go on. State your proposition, and I will agree to it,” 
I said. 

“ I know the party who stole the diamonds is in the city, 
waiting for a chance to get to England. Now, we must 
arrest him, and recover the property ; and to do so I shall 
need your assistance.” 

“ I have already promised it.” 

“ I know it, but you have not promised to commence oper- 
ations this very night.” 

“ It is sudden.” 

“ And therefore the more liable to be successful. Will 
you go with me ? ” 

“Yes.” 

“ Good ! Then we will commence our rounds at nine 
o’clock, and as we will have to visit the lowest dens in the 
city, we must change our clothes, and put on garments that 
will not attract attention for their novelty. Each of us will 
want a revolver, a lot of impudence, and a determination^ta 
make love to half a dozen good-looking bar-maids.” 

“ 0, but I can’t do that,” cried Hez, with a very blank 
face. “ I’ll help all I can, but I can’t be false to Martha.” 

Murden raised his eyebrows, — all the surprise that he al- 
lowed himself to express, — and remarked, “ Well, we’U ex- 
cuse you in that particular, although you are the first man that 
I ever saw that could remain faithful such a distance from 
kome. You are a species of the genus homo that is rarely 


82 


THE BUSHBAKGEBS. 


found in this section of the country ; and if T should pro- 
claim that so faithful a fellow was in the city, I should not be 
believed. Jack and I will do the love-making, but you must 
help us drink. You must keep quiet, and not utter a word, 
for I’m afraid that Yankee twang of your tongue would set 
some of the old heads to gossiping ; and that we must 
avoid.” 

At nine o’clock we changed our clothing, assuming the 
garb of common sailors, such as blue shirts and trousers, 
thick Scotch caps, and leather belts around our waists to 
keep up our pants. In an inner pocket of our shirts we 
placed our revolvers, for we did not know but that we should 
need them in case of trouble or any sudden outbreak. We 
were all of us salt enough to pass for sailors without much 
suspicion ; and with a dozen or twenty shillings in our pock 
ets, just enough to pay our way, and yet not invite an attack 
for the purpose of robbery, we sallied forth, and sauntered 
slowly through the streets, meeting policemen at every turn, 
and encountering their keen glances without the slightest 
apparent notice ; for Murden wore a false gray beard and 
wig, while Hopeful and myself were not well enough known 
to care for such disguises. After walking a short distance 
we heard the sound of violins, guitars, and pianos, the latter 
most shockingly out of tune. 

“ Now, then, we must have our wits about us, for we are 
in the den of the enemy,” whispered Murden. And he 
spoke truly, for we saw bloated monsters of both sexes flit- 
ting in and out of the dance halls and drinking saloons, 
some of them drunk, and others in a fair way to reach an 
Inebriate condition. 

Sailors and miners were lounging on the narrow side- 
walks, and women were at the windows of all the houses, 
exclianging chaff with friends in the street who passed 
near them. 

At length we came to a saloon called the “ Red Lion,” 
which looked a little more pretentious than the rest, and 
seemed cleaner. Murden glanced in at the door for a 
moment, and then entered, with a careless, indifferent 
that was quite taking. Hez and I followed hin^ 


THK LOVELY BAB-MAID AND HER FATHER. 


8S 


and took seats at a taWe, and then, for the first time, 1 
glanced around to see who were our neighbors. There 
were about a dozen people in the room, which was a long 
one, with a door at the end farthest from the street. On 
the left hand side, on entering the saloon, was a bar^ and 
behind that bar, — a rather substantial one, of solid oak, — 
was a red-faced, broad-shouldered man, with a bull-dog sort ol 
expression about his jaws, that was not intended to inspire 
confidence in those disposed to create a disturbance, or to 
take liberties with him. His hands were large and bony, 
and his arms were of immense length, and wonderful in their 
muscular strength ; for the man had his shirt-sleeves rolled 
up, and showed all the flesh to the elbow. But I was not 
so much attracted by the man whom I have described as I 
was by the young girl at his side. At the first glance 
I thought that I was mistaken, and I rubbed my eyes and 
took a second look. No, I was not dreaming. Behind the 
bar, standing by the side of that muscular giant, drawing 
ale, half-and-half (half ale and half porter), was the hand- 
somest girl that I had ever seen. She was all English, with 
large blue eyes, of a dark hue, and the sweetest red and 
white skin, so pure and transparent that I could hardly 
believe she was not painted. Her hands and arms were 
splendidly proportioned, for the latter were bare, although 
they were encircled by bracelets of a costly pattern ; but the 
gold did not look as well as the pink and white flesh. On 
her long and tapering fingers I saw several rings, and as 
they were set with diamonds, brilliant flashes of light fol- 
lowed all her movements. She was dressed with most ex- 
quisite taste, a light dress revealing a pair of plump, white 
shoulders, upon which not a speck or blotch was to be seen. 
Never before had I been so taken with the face and form of 
a woman ; and Murden had to speak to me three times before 
I was recalled from dream-land, where I had wandered when 
I was feasting my eyes on the face of the young and tender- 
looking bar-maid. 

** What is the matter with you ? ” Murden asked, “ I 


84 


THl BUSHRANGERS. 


haye spoken to you three times, and inquired if you would 
have plain ale, half-and-half, or a shilling’s woith cf gin> 
We must call for something, you know.” 

“ Who is she ? ” I asked in a whisper, regardless of hii 
question. “ Tell me something about her, for she is the 
handsomest woman that I ever saw in my life.” 

“ Whew ! ” whistled Murden. “ Sits the wind in that quar« 
ter ? ” and then, with a grave face, he continued : Don’t 
lose your heart there. Jack, for she is colder than ice, and 
all the gold in Australia would not tempt her heart. She 
has broken more hearts than any woman in Victoria, and the 
little jade is proud of her triumphs.” 

“ And no one has yet touched her feelings ? ” 

“ No one, so it is said. See, here she lives in the worst 
section of the city : she is surrounded night and day with 
escaped convicts, pardoned convicts, and convicts whose 
time has expired. She waits upon murderers, thieves, 
gamblers, men of the most licentious character, all the scum 
of the world, which drifts to the surface and bubbles in 
Melbourne, and yet she stands behind that bar as virtuous 
and chaste as Diana.” 

“ Jist like my Martha,” murmured Hez, with a sur Dressed 
sob and a long-drawn sigh. 

Just at that moment the young girl flitted towards us, and 
after a hasty glance at our faces to see if she had ever met 
them before in the saloon, she turned to me for orders, and 
with the sweetest smile and the most fascinating courtesy 
that I had ever seen, asked, — 

What will you please to order, gentlemen ? ” 

“ Some of your best ale ; and I know that it must be good 
/rf you draw it,” I said, hastily, fearful that Murden would 
get the start of me. In an instant her calm blue eye 
scanned my features, and then fell upon my hands. I thrust 
them out of sight, for I recollected that they were not 
rough enough for the character I had assumed, and that I 
had forgotten to stain them. She seemed to have read me 
in an instant, for the light vanished from her red, sweet 


THE LCYELY BAS-MAID AND HEB FATHEB. 31 

lips, and slie drew herself up and looked as cold as an 
iceberg. 

“ A pint or a quart of ale for each the bar-maid asked. 

“ A pint, and half a dozen of your best cigars. Remem- 
ber, not German.” 

“ I understand, sir ; ” and she glided from me towards th# 
bar, where the muscular individual with the red face was 
reading, with the most intense interest, an English sporting- 
paper. There were but two persons in the room, with the 
exception of our party, and the bar-maid, and the individual 
who was reading. In the farthest corner of the saloon, near 
the door, two men were seated at a table, with a pot of ale 
between them. They were talking in low tones, so low that 
we could not hear the first whisper they utterred ; but we 
noticed that they were earnest, and rather apprehensive, for 
they often glanced towards the door, and seemed to shrink 
if any one passed it. I did not pay much attention to them, 
although I suspected that they were burglars ; but Murden 
scanned them closely, while I was ordering the ale. 

“ TeU me more of that girl,” I said, as soon as she turned 
towards the bar. 

“ Confound your curiosity I She is the daughter of the 
‘ Manchester Pet.* ** 

“ And who is the ‘ Manchester Pet* ?” 

“ There ho stands behind the bar. He was once a prize- 
fighter in England, and even to this day he delights to breah 
people*s heads, imless they are civil ta him and his daughter. 
But here comes the ale and cigars. PU tell you more of 
ike matter in a minute.** 


THB BU8HBA50S1S. 




CHAPTER IV. 

THB PBIZE-riGHTEK AND HIS DAUQHTEB. THE BOW. — 

THE SIGNAL. 

“ Fifteen years ago,” said Murden, raising the ale to hii 
lips, and taking a long and refreshing draught, and then 
smiling at the bar-maid in token that he appreciated the 
quality of the drink, “ the Manchester Pet was one of Eng' 
land’s wonders. His correct name is Sam Sykes, and for 
ten years he worked at bricklaying ; but as he had had two 
or three fights, and showed great pluck and powers of endur- 
ance, the London fancy took him in tow, trained him, bet 
their money on him, and matched him for a fight, which he 
won ; and he continued to win battles, until, in one contest, 
he fortunately, or unfortunately, just as you please, crushed 
his opponent’s skull, and killed him. Well, the traps or 
peelerc of England didn’t look at the matter in the light of 
a joke ; so they searched for the Pet, discovered him, tried 
him for manslaughter, found him guilty, and the judge cent 
him to this country for five years. His wife, this child, and 
another woman, followed him, opened a bar, and supported 
themselves until the Pet’s time had expired, hliss Jenny 
was three years old when they landed at Melbourne ; conse- 
quently she is eighteen at the present time. Don’t look at 
her in that way,” continued Murden, “ or she will know that 
we are talking about her.” 

“ How can I help it ? ” I replied, with a sigh ; “ for she U 
very beautiful.” 

“ Jist like my Martha,” muttered Hez, sucking away at 
his cigar, with his cap on the back of his head, and his frank, 
open face once more clouded at the thought of the New 
Hampshire beauty. 

“ Don’t be spoony,” cried Murden. “ She is not the sort 
of w^man you want for a wife; and for that matter, your 
life would not be safe to mention such a thing. She is a 


®HE PBIZK-PIGHTER AJJD HlB DAtJGfiTEB, 


37 


jewel, but tbe setting is not such as you would like for per* 
manent wear. Will you hear the rest of my yarn ? ” 

** With pleasure, or i ather, I should say, with pain ; for it 
does pain me to think that so beautiful a creature should be 
here, surrounded by crime and wretchedness.” 

“ Don’t be spoony, I tell you,” continued Murden. “ It 
is a bad sign for your success in Australia.” 

I laughed, and withdrew my eyes from the calm, self- 
possessed face of the young girl, and prepared to listen to 
Murden ; but even while I was listening, I could not help 
thinking that with such a companion for life, my career in 
Australia would be very short. Had she been owned by 
r/!dpectable parents, and brought up in seclusion, I might, I 
thought, have seriously contemplated a short courtship ; but 
a prize-fighter’s daughter, and a bar-maid — this was tdo 
much. 

“What, in heaven’s name, are you thinking of?” asked 
Murden, who had talked for some time, but whose words I 
did not understand, because my mind was filled with other 
matters. 

“ I have heard all that you said,” I replied. 

“ Nonsense ! I know better. You were thinking of that 
girl’s blue eyes.” 

“ Jist like Martha’s,” muttered Hez, looking at the bottom 
of his pewter beer pot. 

“ Go on with your yarn. I will hear it, unless you are too 
tedious,” I said. 

“Well, I will be as brief as possible, although you don’t 
deserve such mercy. As I said before, the party arrived at 
Melbourne with a little money. They went into the public- 
house business, and the Manchester Pet went up the country 
and into the road-mending line. He used his strength to 
some advantage, was civil and obliging, helped the overseers 
to subdue several rebellious convicts, and, in the course of 
two years, was enabled to rejoin his wife and child as a 
ticket-of-leave man. The family had managed to exist, and 
save a little money. The Pet knew how to dispose of it to 
advantage. He rented this place, the Red Lion, and oub« 
/ 


THE BUSHBANQEBS. 


3S 

tomers crowded around him. He made money, and bow il 
reported worth something handsome.” 

“And the daughter — has she remained with him ever 
since ? ” 

“ Yes ; hut, at the same time, she was not allowed to grow 
up in entire ignorance. She has received a little education ; 
knows how to read and write after a fashion ; but that is 
about all.” 

“ Jist like my Martha,” cried Hez ; and then recollecting 
that he had made a mistake, he added, “ except that Martha 
knows most everything.” 

“ Anything more ? ” I asked. 

“ No, with the exception that the Manchester Pet saw that 
his daughter’s beauty attracted custom ; so he has kept her 
behind the bar ever since her mother’s death.” 

“ Then her mother is dead ? ” 

“ Yes ; died some years since.” At this moment the 
Manchester Pet seemed to have finished his reading, for he 
folded up the paper in a dignified manner ; and, as he laid 
it under the counter, remarked to his daughter, in rather 
an animated tone, — 

“The Birmingham Chicken and the Dublin Porcupine 
have made a match, and will fight for the belt in October.” 

“ What’s the stakes ? ” asked the young lady, looking up 
with an unusual degree of interest. 

“ Two hundred pounds.” 

“ Which’s the best man ? ” continued the young lady with 
the dark blue eyes. 

“ 0, the Chicken. He’s got more science than the Por- 
capine. Pll bet on him, and give the odds — not much, 
you know, but a little.” 

Murden touched me with his foot, and laughed beneath his 
false beard. “ What do you think now ? ” he asked. 

I was a little disconcerted by the conversation of the blus- 
eyed beauty, but still I was not disgusted. Man will stand 
much nonsense when it is backed by a handsome woman’s 
face. Perhaps, if I had been her husband, I should not have 
liked it. As it was, I thought that such unwomanly conver* 


THE PRIZE>FiaHTER AND HIS DAUGHTER- S9 

sation could be cured or abolished in the course of time, 
provided the girl had a teacher whom she loved. But whila 
I was ruminating, — regretfully, perhaps, — the Pet left tha 
bar, yawned, stretched his enormous limbs, glanced ar^ound 
the saloon, looked at the two men who were in the corner 
near the door, hesitated for a moment as though he had half 
a mind to speak to them, and then his sharp eyes fell upon 
ns, and he seemed to look us over in an instant. Then he 
came towards our party. 

“ Well, my men, how’s the beer ?” he asked. 

“ So good,” I answered, “ that we want more of it.” 

“ Jenny, more beer here,” cried the Pet, turning to his 
daughter. 

“Are you in search of a ship?” asked the Pet, as the 
blue-eyed girl took our pots. 

“ We wouldn’t mind if we had a good offer,” Murdeo 
replied. 

“ Come to me if you want to cut and run for it,” said the 
Pet, under the impression that we thought of running away, 
and would need a chance to ship. “ I can find you » 
vessel and good wages.” 

“ I will talk with you on the subject some other timis,” I 
said. “We shan’t go on board for twenty-four h^uis. 
We’ve got liberty for that length of time.” 

Dui-ing this conversation, the bar-maid had suspended her 
labors, and listened to our words with much attention. Her 
eyes wandered from face to face, and at last rested on mine, 
with a long, steady stare, as though she was determined to 
remember it in case we again met. I had removed the 
common cap that covered my head, and I must confess that 
vanity prompted me to the act, and I will also acknowledge 
that I was not a bad-looking fellow when I was dressed as a 
human being, and not as a monkey, which, I feared, the Scotch 
cap made me resemble. The Pet winked, yawned, and then 
walked towards the door, as though he was about to look up 
some customers ; but, not finding any on the sidewalk, the 
publican walked off for a short distance, and no sooner did 
he disappear than the two men in the farther corner of the 


4 


40 tHU BUSUftANGKBS. 

saloon — the same fellows who had whispered together Sd 
earnestly all the time that we were present — arose and 
walked towards the door, which was near them. They 
attempted to open it, but found it locked ; and, with an ait 
of surprise, they turned to the bar-maid. 

“ Miss Jenny,” they asked, “ what is the door locked 
for?” 

“ To keep out those whom we do not wish to enter,” was 
the pert reply. 

“Hang it, what do you mean by that?” one of them 
asked. 

“Just what I said. Father don’t want yon to enter the 
private room until you pay what you owe.” 

“ Do you think that we intend to bilk you out of your pay? 
We have — ” Before the fellow could finish his sentence 
his companion put his hand over his mouth and stopped him. 

Murden and I exchanged glances. My friend leaned over 
and whispered to me, “ I know them both, now that I 
have seen their faces. Both of them have been confined in 
the hulks, and both of them enjoyed the reputation, in Eng- 
land, of being d^ng burglars. One of them I suspect 
is — ” Murden did not conclude his account, for the sus- 
pected men, who seemed furious at the idea of being de- 
barred from entering the private parlor, raised their feet and 
kicked at the panels of the door, as though they meant to 
break them in. Miss J enny did not manifest the least sign 
of alarm. She did not exhibit the least tremor, nor did her 
sweet face flush with an indignant blush, as she walked to* 
wards the two men who were committing the assault on the 
door. 

“Pat Doland and Bill Thrasher,” said the young girl, 
“you’ll get your heads knocked off unless you stop that 
noise, and go about your business. Father is only a few 
steps from here. If you don’t stop Fll call him.” 

“ Will you open the door ? ” demanded the fellow whom 
she called Pat Doland. 

“ No ; m call father first,” was the firm answsr ; and 1 
looked at the dark blue-eyed girl with increased admiration 



Jenny threw herself in front of thorn, so that they could not touch the 

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THE ROW. 


41 


“ Your father be Imng,” was the reply of the men. “ We 
can pay him what we owe him, and a hundred times more, 
but not to-night. Let us into the private parlor, where we 
can settle a little matter.” 

“ You can’t go in,” she answered. 

With an angry oath the men dashed at the door ; but as 
they kicked at it, Jenny threw herself in front of them, sd 
that they could not touch the door unless they injured her 
person. I arose from my seat, but Murden laid his hand on 
my arm. 

“ Don’t interfere,” he said. “ The quarrel is none of 
yours.” 

Perhaps I should have taken his advice, had not the felloT« 
who was known as Thrasher suddenly raised his hand, and 
struck the sweet-faced Jenny upon her shoulder, so fair and 
white. 

“ Coward ! ” she cried ; but she did not leave her place 
near the door. 

I could not stand that. So I left my seat, in spite of 
Murden’s remonstrances, and ran to that part of the room 
where the ruffians were still swearing and threatening ven- 
geance on J enny for the stand she had taken. In my move- 
ments I was none too soon. Thrasher, finding that oaths 
could not frighten Jenny from her position, had raised his 
arm for the second time, and I saw that it was directed to- 
wards her face. 

“ Take that, you fool,” cried the ruffian ; and his heavy 
fist was about to fall, when I struck him in the region of his 
right ear, and over he went ; but in an instant Poland turned 
on me, to revenge the fall of his companion. 

“ Blast your eyes for that,” the ruffian said ; and he left 
the door and Jenny, turning square round, and aimed a blow 
at me with a slung shot, which he took from his pocket 
Luckily I saw the missile coming, and had a chance to dodge. 
The slung shot passed within a few inches of my head, and 
the blow was so well intended that the assailant had to turn 
half round to recover his balance ; and he had hardly done 
po before he fell at full length upon the floor ; and looking 


4^ ' ' “ BtSHBAi?QiSii9. 

up I saw that Hez was beside me, and Lad done a manij 
part with his strong arm and hard fist. 

“ Gol darn a man what don’t fight fair,” my friend said. 
“If I can’t lick ^ man with my mawlies, I won’t take no 
slung shots or knives, I won’t.” 

I did not have time to compliment Hez on the activity 
?7hich he displayed, for the fallen ruffians were moving, and 
making demonstrations. I saw Doland put his hand in hu 
coat pocket ; but before he could draw his pistol I was kneel 
ing beside him, with one hand on his throat, while with thi 
other I wrenched the pistol from his jacket, and as I did so, 
saw that Hez was following my example. 

In the mean time Miss J enny had maintained her position 
near the door, looking upon our proceedings without mani- 
festing the slightest alarm. Perhaps she had seen too many 
rows to care for them ; or perhaps she wanted to see which 
would come out best. If such was the case, she must have 
been more than satisfied ; for she said, as soon as we had 
disarmed the ruffians, “ Now let ’em up, and if they don’t 
pay and go off peaceable, kick ’em into the street.” 

“You’ll regret this,” cried Doland. “We might have 
spent all our money in the Red Lion ; but now we’ll see you 
hanged first.” 

“ Don’t be impudent to the lady,” cried Hez. “ I’ll be 
gol darned if I’ll stand that, you know.” 

“ I don’t see any lady here,” answered Thrasher. “ I see 
a bar-maid, or a pot-girl, I don’t know which. Ladies don’t 
live in this part of the town.” 

Jenny’s cheeks fiushed, and her eyes flashed; but I saw 
that she managed to retain her calm exterior in spite of the 
insult. 

“ Shall I kick them into the street ? ” I asked the young 
girl. 

“ No,” was her prompt answer ; “ they are not worthy of 
your rage. Let them go. My father will wax ’em when he 
hears of their doings.” 

As she spoke the Manchester Pet entered the saloon ; and 
his heavy face lighted up at the least appearance of a di». 


THE HOW. 


49 


tnrbance. He strode towards us, and asked, “ What’s the 
matter, girl?” 

“ Doland and Thrasher wanted the private room. I told 
’em that they couldn’t have it. They ^sisted that they 
would go in, raised a row, and struck me, and if it hadn’t 
been for these two coves I should have got a black eye.” 

The face of the Pet was fearful to behold while she was 
relating her grievances. He set his heavy jaws firmly to- 
gether, and looked as though he was about to enter the prize- 
ring and fight a desperate battle with an adversary whom h« 
hated most terribly. He struck his huge fists together, and 
then rushed on Doland. 

“ Keep off,” shouted that individual, and he made a show 
of placing himself in a boxing attitude ; but the rush of the 
Pet was like that of an enraged bull. He bore down all 
opposition, caught Doland around the waist, struck him once 
or twice on his face, and then carried the man to the door, 
and threw him into the street. He fell with a crash, and 
was covered with blood when he arose and staggered off. 

The Pet returned for Thrasher ; but that cautious individ- 
ual dodged, and shouted, “ Let me alone ; will you ? ” 

The Pet made a rush, but Thrasher avoided him, and left 
the saloon in a hurry, and the Pet came back, after a vain 
pursuit. 

“ m break their blasted necks, some day,” muttered the 
Pet, as he went behind his bar and refreshed himself with a 
pot of porter. “ Pll kUl the man who dares to insult my 
darter.” 

Jenny whispered a word to her ferocious father, and he 
looked at us for a moment with some attention, then came 
towards us. 

“ Give us your hand, my fine feller,” he said. ‘‘ You is 
worthy of shaking hands with me, and I tell you that is an 
honor I don’t grant all sailor-men. You floored them ’ere 
coves, and the gal tells me that you did it in style. Now 
you shall take a drink with me. Come, girl, bring some 
ale, and draw it mild, from the best taps. 

The giant shook hands with me in a boisterous manner, 


44 


THE 8USHEANQEK8. 


and then served Hez and Murden the say way. Jennj 
brought the ale, and I was pleased to notice that the mug 
which contained my ale was brighter than the rest, ^at 
the beer was more lively than that which Hez er Murden put 
to their mouths. Did I argue from this that the banj^iaid 
appreciated the devotion which I had shown, and was willing 
to give me positive proof, in her own delicate way, that I 
was not disagreeable to her ? I don’t know that I thought 
much about it that night, for I could think of but one thing, 
and that was, that the bar-maid was the handsomest woman 
I had ever seen, and that I wished that she was in a dif- 
ferent sphere of life, so that I could feel as though she was 
worthy of my love.” 

“ You coves has acted in ship-shape fashion,” said the Pet, 
bringing his hand down upon the table with such force that 
the pots jumped several inches. 

“ Keep your hands quiet,” said the girl, for she still 
remained near us. 

“ All right, lass,” the Pet answered. “ Pll mind my eye. 
You go behind the bar, and I’ll talk with the sailor-men.” 
But the girl did not obey, for she sat down near the table, 
and looked, at me attentively, as though she had seen me 
before, and wanted to recall the time and place. 

The Pet did not notice it. He commenced talking with 
us, praised us for what we had done, and intimated that his 
house was open to us in case we were disposed to run away 
from our ships. 

“ Don’t talk nonsense, father, ’’said the girl. “ Don’t you 
see that this man is no sailor ? ” She pointed to me, and 
the Pet cast his eyes over us as though to judge of the truth 
of her assertion. 

“ How is it, youngster ? bean’t you a sailor-man ? ” he 
a^ked. 

“Look at his hands,” said the girl. Her sharp eyes 
had noticed that they were too soft and clean to pass for a 
sailor’s. 

Before I could answer, some one entered the door of 
saloon, and remained there a few seconds ; and during 


MBS. TROTTER’S CASTLE. 


45 


that trine I saw him make a signal with his hands, and then 
return to the^reet, as though the person he was in search 
of could not be^found in the Red Lion. The Pet arose, 
stf^fchcd his huge arms, and said he was going out for a 
wal^. 

“iook to the bar, lass,” he said; “and don’t charge 
these coves for their drink. I’ll come back afore long.” 

He left the saloon, and just as he cleared the threshold, 
Murden said, “We must move, lads, or we shan’t see much 
sport in Melbourne to-night. You pay. Jack, for I want a 
little fresh air ; ” and oflf Murden walked. 

As I threw down a couple of shillings on the counter, and 
turned to leave the saloon, Jenny laid her hand on my arm, 
and looked up at me with a pair of eyes that a princess 
might have been proud of. What man could hesitate when 
?.ch orbs asked for a moment’s conversation ? 


CHAPTER V. 

MRS. trotter’s castle. 

As the handsome bar-maid laid her white hand, covered 
with diamond rings, upon my shoulder, I saw Murden stand' 
ing on the sidewalk, and signalizing me to make haste 
and join him ; but how could I leave such a pair of eyes in 
a hurry? 

“ Let me speak with you,” she said. “ Will you listen 
to me?” 

“ Yes, for an hour, if you wUl not tire of my company.” 

She did not blush or smile at the compliment ; but she 
fixed her calm blue eyes on my face, and said, “ Tell me 
your occupation.” 

“ Does not my dress proclaim it ? ” I answered. 

“No, it does not. What is your business ? Are you like 
most of tlie company that come here ? Do not deceive me.” 


46 


THB BUSHRANGERS. 


“ What do you suspect ? ” 

“ That you and your companions are cracksmen,” was th« 
prompt answer ; and those bJuo eyes did not relax the hrm- 
ncss of their gaze when the words were spoken. 

“ Well, what more ? ” I asked, in as calm a tone as I 
oould assume. 

“ Then turn your attention to other business, or come bar© 
no more,” was the low answer. 

I looked at her in surprise. “ Do you forbid me to see 
you again ? ” I asked. 

“Yes, unless you can come here as an honest man 
Look you, covey; you have done me a service to-night. 
I am grateful, womanly grateful, and for that reason I would 
save you. You are surprised ; but you would not be if I 
told you all. If you have committed a robbery, come not 
here with the proceeds, for you will lose your liberty and 
all your unlawful gains. Do I speak plain enough ? ” 

“ Yes, but I have no fear.” 

“ I tell you that you will be sold, and yet I cannot inform 
you who will do it.” 

“ I can suspect.” 

“ And yet keep a secret ? ” 

“ Yes, if it belongs to you.” I bowed, and would have 
taken the lady’s hand, but she drew back and stood on her 
dignity. 

“ Hands off,” she said, with a slight flush on each cheek. 
“ I want no love-making. I cannot stoop to a cracksman or 
a bushranger ; and an honest man would not bend to me.” 

“ Will you come ? ” shouted Murden from the door. 

“ In one moment,” I answered. “ To-morrow I will call 
and see you. Are you willing ? ” I said in a low tone. 

“The saloon is open for customers,” was the answer. 
“ If you come, appear with clean hands, and talk but little 
with my father. You understand me?” and as she asked 
the question, she raised her dark-blue eyes, and gave me a 
look that I could not mistake. It told me as plain as words 
that her father was in the habit of selling to the police those 


ilBB. TROTTER’S CASTLK. 4t 

adventurous gentlemen who risked their lives and liberty for 
the sake of silver ware, gold, or colony bank notes. 

“ I thank you,” I said, “ I have no fear.” 

“ So others have said, and met with misfortunes. Let me 
warn you in time.” 

“ From your words it is evident that you do not think I 
am a sailor,” I remarked ; for I relished her company so 
much that I prolonged the conversation in spite of Murden’s 
impatience. 

“You are no more of a sailor than I am. You are 
from Sydney, and have just arrived in Melbourne.” 

“ Go on. You are good at guessing.” 

“ You were compelled to leave Sydney for fear of the 
traps.” 

“ That is enough for one night. I will hear the rest 
when I call to-morrow,” and I left her and joined Murden. 

“ I thought that you meant to talk all night,” that amiable 
gentleman said. “ I am afraid that I have missed my game 
by delay.” 

“ Well, it is not often that a man has a chance to talk 
with a pretty woman in this part of the world. They are 
not over plentiful, as you must be aware.” 

“ I thought that you cared nothing about women ? ” 

“ I don’t, for homely ones.” 

“ Bah ! that bar-maid has turned your head, and it will 
take six months in the bush to cure you. But come along. 
I have work that will interest you.” 

He led the way along the rough sidewalk, and at last wo 
turned down a narrow lane, dark, dirty, and prolific of bad 
smells, and then halted near a cellar lighted by a spluttering 
candle. 

“ In the name of thunder, what did you bring us her* 
for?” I asked. 

“ Hush ! not a word,” answered Murden in a whisper. 
“ Step back a little, so that no one can see us.” We retired 
to the shelter of an overhanging roof attached to a low 
wooden building, which was directly opposite the cellar. 

“ Feel to the right and left,” whispered Murden. “ Wf 


THE BUSHEANGEES. 


<s 

want no listeners here.” We felt our way to each end of 
the building, and returned without making any discoveries. 

“ Now, then, what is the project ?” I asked. 

“Before I answer the question, let your friend, Mr. 
Hopeful, enter the cellar opposite, and buy a candle, or 
make some excuse, and while there let him take a rapid 
survey, and note if the two men whom we saw at the Red 
Lion are in the place. If they are, say nothing to them ; 
but return as soon as possible. If no one is there but an 
old woman, ask her if she has lodging rooms to let. Tell 
her that you want to hire, for the night, a room for yourself 
and friends. When she comes out of the cellar to show yon 
the rooms, we will join you, and pretend to be drunk. Do 
you understand, Mr. Hopeful ? ” 

“ I rather think that I do,” answered Hez, confidently, 
and away he went 

“ Now, Murden,” I asked, “ what does this mean ? It has 
some significance, I know.” 

“ To be sure^ it does,” answered the ex-police commis- 
sioner. “ You noticed the two men at the Red Lion ? ” 

“ Of course. I knocked one of them down. Yon saw 
the operation ; and I ask you, as an Englishman and a friend 
of the prize-ring, if the blow which I struck was not a scien- 
tific one.” 

“ Nonsense ! Listen to me,” said Murden. “ While those 
two fellows were talking, I caught a few of their words, and 
came to the conclusion that the rascals lodged here.” 

“ Well, what of it?” 

“ Only this : those two men, I think, have got her lady- 
ship’s diamonds.” 

“ The deuce they have ! What ground have yon for such 
suspicion ? ” 

“ I haven’t time to tell yon all ; but I am determined to 
see if my surmises are correct. If they are, my road to 
preferment is sure, and then you and your friend can com- 
mand me at all times.” 

“ Thank you. Here comes Hez.” 

Hopeful could be dimlv seen emprgims^ from the cellar. 


UBS. TEOTTEB’S CASTLE. 


4 $ 


ar.i following him was an old woman hideous with wrinkles, 
tchacco, and snuff. We crossed the street, and stood before 
them, swaying back and forth, as though we were under the 
influence of liquor. 

“ I has a room that’ll suit ye niver fear ye but it will,” cried 
the woman, unlocking the outside door, and bidding us 
enter. 

Ye are sailor-men, ain’t ye ? ” she asked. 

“Yes, mother, we’ve smelt of salt water,” answered 
Murden. 

“And ye has run from yer ships? Don’t deny it, ye 
imps; ” and the old woman chuckled. 

Murden pretended to hesitate, as though he feared to 
make a eenfession. 

“ Don’t mind me,” lads, the hag said ; “ Til keep ye safe. 
Niver a bit shall the purlice And ye; and when yer ship is 
gone, ril get ye another. Now, tell me the truth, ye imps, 
ha? ye wij money ? ” 

“ Hfun’t we got some,” replied Murden ; and he produced 
a few stillings, and shook them in the old woman’s face. 

“ Give me one for the lodgin’,” she cried ; “ it’s chape for a 
shillin’. The beds is illegant. Niver a better can be found 
in all 'Stralia, and ye’ll say so in the mornin’.” Murden put 
a shilling in her withered palm. She slipped the silver into 
her bosom, and then led the way up a flight of rickety stairs. 

“ Ilave you many lodgers, mother ? ” asked Murden, as we 
reached the first landing. 

“ Only two, as nice gintlemen as ever lived ; but itls little 
they sleep in the night time. Day is night for them. But 
they pay well, and what more can I ask ? ” 

“ Do they sleep on the next floor, or on this ? ” asked 
Muruen. 

“ Sure, it’s on this floor, and in the illegant room that 
overlooks the big yard. Ye can have the front room if ye 
want it, but I must have another shillin’.” 

“Well, it’s dear, but take it,” said Murden, who for the 
past five minutes had been supporting me, as though I was 
ouder the influence of liquor, and needed a bed. 


Ba3fiaAaO£H3. 


The old hag dropped the money into her bosom, and th^B 
unlocked the door, and ushered us into an apartment that 
contained a number of dirty blankets in one corner, a pine 
table covered with grease, and about a thousand flies and 
fleas to the square inch. 

“ Ah ! this is comfortable,” cried Murden, as though he 
had been accustomed to such lodgings all of his life. “ Here 
we have everything that one can desire, except pipes, to* 
baoeo, and beer.” 

** Sure, I have all of ’em in the cellar, and for money je 
9an have ’em.” 

“ And a candle ? ” 

“ Yes, the best in Melbourne.” 

Murden put a third shilling into her hand, and it went the 
way of the others. 

“ m bring ’em. Til bring ’em up,” the hag said ; and l?f,7- 
ing the light on the table, she felt her way down stairs in th# 
dark, and closed the outer door after her. As soon as she 
had done this, Murden took the candle and examined the 
wall which separated the front and back rooms. The par- 
tition was composed of rough boards, unjointed and un- 
painted, with knot-holes in many of them, and rat-holes in 
all of those near the floor. 

As soon as Murden had finished his survey, he went to the 
door of the back room, found that it was locked, and by the 
aid of some soft wax, took an impression of the key-hole, 
then returned to the room and examined it by the bght. 

“ I can pick it in two minutes,” he said. 

“ What in the fiend’s name do you mean to do ? ” 1 
asked. 

“ I mean to enter that back room before morning,” was 
the answer. 

Before I had time to ask another question, the old woman’s 
feet were heard on the stairs. She reached the room, and 
placed the pipes, tobacco, and beer on the table. 

“ Better stuff can’t be found in all Melbourne,” she said, 
^ although it’s I that say it.” 

She stood surveying us for a moment, and then, finding 


MBS. TROrTER’S CASTL*. 




tkfct we did not want any more of her stock, stuck tne candle 
in the neck of a bottle, and left us. An hour passed away, 
and no one entered the house. We had smoked half a 
dozen pipefuls of tobacco,. when Murden laid his pipe down, 
took from his pocket a piece of strong, crooked wire, cut 
the candle in halves, took off his shoes, and crept noiselessly 
towards the door. 

“ Do you want my help ? ” I asked. 

“ You may come if you please, and let Mr. Hopeful stand 
at the head of the stairs and give warning the instant he 
hears a key put in the outside lock. Remember, no noise.” 

We extinguished the light in the front room, and then 
went to the landing. All was quiet in the house, with the 
exception of the rats. Murden felt for the key-hole of thff 
back door, and inserted the wire in it, and worked it bad 
and forth, until the bolt slipped ; and then he turned the han 
die of the door, and we entered the room. The apartmenC 
was precisely like the front one, and furnished in the same 
style. But we did not stop to notice matters particularly, 
for we had other motiyes in visiting the room, and to satis^ 
ourselves we overhauled the blankets, examined every comei 
of the apartment, and yet nothing but a few dirty pieces of 
clothing met our view. For the first time Murden’s face 
wore an expression of dejection, as though he had been dis 
appointed, and hardly knew which way to turn to retrieve 
his fortune. 

'We must give it up,” he whispered, after we had exam- 
ined the floor to see if there were not some boards which 
had been recently disturbed, and found that there was no 
appearance of such a thing. ** I am inclined to think that 
the diamonds are not here. The rogues have buried them 
or left them at some pal’s house.” 

“ Let us examine the walls,” I said. “ I don’t feel like 
giving it up in this way.” 

“ It is useless,” said Murden. “ I am satisfied that the 
jewels are not here. Her ladyship will have to weep for her 
loss a few weeks longer.” 

“And we must remain here all night?” I asked, as 1 


62 


THB BUBHBABGEBS. 


kicked at a rat that was adyancing towards me with hostile 
intentions. 

“ Yes ; I suppose so.” 

“ Then let us arrange the partition so that we can hear 
some conversation if the occupants of this room should re- 
turn before we leave the house.” 

“ By Jove ! but there is something in that,” exclaimed my 
friend. “ A word may lead us to the scent.” 

He drew his bowie knife and commenced cutting at the 
boards of the partition, and I imitated his example ; but both 
of us worked so cautiously that we did not leave traces of 
our handiwork so that suspicion would be excited. We had 
just finished our peek-holes, when Hopeful opened the door, 
and whispered, “ Some one is coming.” 

In an instant we put out the light and stole from the room, 
Murden locking the door with the skeleton key, and while he 
was thus employed, the street door was thrown open ; but 
luckily the current of air extinguished Mrs. Trotter’s candle, 
and left the lady in darkness. 


CHAPTER VI. 

THE SXPLOEATION. THE QUAEBEL AKD THE inTBBES. 

Mbs. Tbottes was not a delicate-minded female. In 
fact, she often gave vent to expressions which masculine 
ears should never hear in the presence of woman, whom we 
regard as pure and heavenly, and worthy of the best place 
at the breakfast table, the best seat in the concert hall, and 
the most comfortable box at the opera ; and in return for all 
this we only ask that she will love us, that she will dress to 
please us, and that she will take care of our children when 
she has nothing else to do ; therefore, when the candle was 
extinguished, and that amiable lady, who carried the candle- 
stick, exclaimed, in a harsh voice, Curse everything an inok 


THE EXPLOBATION. 


51 


high ! ” I, for one, felt shocked ; and Hez, no doubt, waa 
very much grieved. 

“ What did you let the light out for ? ” asked one of Mr 8k 
Trotter’s companions. “You old fool, didn’t you knoT? 
better ? ” 

“That is one of our Ked Lion friends,” whispered Murden 

“ Ye is smart beauties, ye is, to call a woman old enough 
to be yer wife a fool. It’s the party up stairs that wouldn’t 
do it, or I’m no judge.” 

“ A party up stairs ? ” cried both men, eagerly. Whit 
do you mean? Who are they, and when did they come 
here?” 

“ And do you s’pose Til answer all yer questions ? Don’t 
I keep a lodgin’ house, and didn’t the three sailor-men pay 
me for pipes and the beer, and a shillin’ for the beds ? ” 

“ The beds ! ” cried the two men, with shrill laughs. 
“ Your beds consist of a blanket and a million fleas.” 

The old woman uttered a malediction, and hobbled off for 
a light, leaving the fellows in the entry ; and although they 
lowered their voices almost to a whisper, we could hear 
what they said. 

“ The old traps are not on our trail, are they ? ” one of 
them asked. 

“ Nonsense ! What should make you think that ? We ain’t 
known in Melbourne, and Tve not seen a Sydney trap since 
Fve been here. I tell you we are safe enough if we only 
work our cards right, and when we once dispose of our — ” 

“ But these fellows up stairs — what of them ? ” 

“ They are drunken or runaway sailors, and the last men 
m the world to suspect us. No doubt they are snoring off 
the effect of the liquor which they have drunk ; so don’t bo 
alarmed at phantoms of your own conjuring up.” At this 
instant the old woman returned with the lighted candle, 
which they took from her hand. We withdrew into our own 
room, and closed the door so softly that a rat would 
have been disturbed by the noise. 

“ Now, Hopeful,” cried Murden, in a whisper, “ can you 
Imitate snoring ? ” 


54 


THE BUBHBAHQEfiS. 


“ Gol darn it, I can do it so nicely that you’ll be tempted 
to throw a boot at me afore I’ve been underway two min- 
utes,” replied my original friend 

“Then start it at once, but don’t overdo the matter.” 
Accordingly Hez took a seat on the floor, leaned his back 
against the partition, and started his nasal music, which 
sounded like distant thunder. 

We waited until Doland and Thrasher made their way up 
the crazy staircase and unlocked their door, and then we 
applied our eyes to the peep-holes. I saw that Doland was 
Hndcr the influence of liquor, but not so much as to make 
him reckless and noisy ; while Thrasher, who looked like a 
cool hand at roguery, seemed quite sober. The men took 
a hasty survey of their apartment; put the light on the 
table, and pulled up two empty boxes and sat down on them. 
As soon as they were seated they took out their pipes, 
filled them, and commenced smoking ; but they had taken 
only a few whifls when Doland raised his head and lis- 
tened. 

“ What, in the fiend’s name, is that noise ? ” he asked. 

“ It’s the drunken sailors in the next room,” answered 
Thrasher. “ A crash of thunder would not start them. 
Let them snore, although I’m sorry the old woman took them 
in. If we get rid of the shiners, we leave for the mines for 
a few months, and then say that we have made a lucky hit ; 
and who is to deny it ? ” 

“We might have settled matters with the Pet, if we had 
only hinted what we wanted the private room for,” Doland 
snarled. 

“ jlos, and had the brute claim one half for commissions. 
I kuc w the cove by reputation. Didn’t Sandy-Haired Bob 
iell mo all about him ? ” 

“ But his girl is a good looker,” muttered Doland. 
“ I ne ver saw a handsomer piece of calico in my life.” 

’• But she ain’t for the like of us ; so it’s no use getting 
ipoony over her,” Thrasher replied, in a hasty tone, as 
though he felt a little sore on the subject. 

“ I don’t know about that,” Poland said, in a dogmatical 


aXt^LOkAtiOlt. 


51 


fe.&imer. “ If I should go to her all covered over with dia- 
monds, and with gold in my pockets, I think she’d look at 
me in a friendly manner.” 

“ Yes, and before she had time to give you a second *..ook, 
the traps would have you ; for I tell you, man, that a person 
can’t walk the streets with a diamond ring on his finger, but 
he’s asked to explain how he got it, and where. Give up 
dl thought of the girl, for you can’t get her after what 
passed to-night.” 

“ If I sell my share of the sparklers. Til try,’" muttered 
Doland, in a surly tone. 

“ I have a good mind to divide the sparklers, and let you 
run with your share. I would if I didn’t fear that you 
would get caught and peach.” 

Doland dashed down his pipe and sprang to his feet. 
“ Your words imply that I’m a traitor ! ” he cried, in a loud 
tone of voice. “ I’ll no longer keep company with a man 
who talks in that style. Let us make a division — you take 
your share, and TU take mine, and we’ll go in different 
directions.” 

“ I would if I didn’t think — ” 

“ No think about it,” cried Doland. “ Down with the 
jewels, and let us share them.” 

I could hear Murden tremble, he was so agitated. He 
feared that the rogues would patch up a peace, and that the 
jewels would not be produced. All that we wanted to know 
was, where they were secreted ; and if we could discover that 
point we were willing to run some risk in laying our hands 
on them. In fact, so interested was Murden that he whis- 
pered to Hopeful, “Don’t snore so confounded loud. I 
don’t want to lose a word that they utter.” Consequently 
Hez held up a little, and we listened ; but for some time not 
a word passed between them, for Thrasher sat motionless, 
staring at his companion as though he was debating what 
should be done with him and his demand. 

The two burglars sat so that we could see their faces. 
Murden whispered, “ That Doland is in more danger than 
he ev3r was before, for Thrasher is meditating whether h« 


THE BUSHEAHQEBS. 


»6 

i>hall strangle him or strike him dead with a blow of hii 
knife.” 

If Doland noticed the expression of his companion’s eyes^ 
he did not seem to regard it, for he met his gaze with a 
dogged resolution, like that of a man made obstinate with 
liquor ; and as he dashed his hand on the table, he said, 
“ m take my share of the sparklers, and do as I please 
with ’em. I did as much as you to get ’em, and you can’t 
deny it.” 

“I don’t want to; but I do want you to keep quiet. 
Wait until the traps give up the search, and then we can 
turn the jewels into gold, and spend our money like lords.” 

“ m have my share now. Put the box before me, and 
let us make a division.” 

“Doland,” said Thrasher, in a calm tone, “you are 
drunk. Sleep on the matter, and to-morrow morning we 
wiU see what can be done. If you are of the same opinion 
then, we will take our shares and separate. Does that 
satisfy you ? ” 

“ No, it does not,” roared Doland, more drunk and obsti- 
nate the longer he was talked to. “ Give me my share, 
and we part company. We have been pals long enough.” 

I saw Thrasher look around the room in a hurried man- 
ner, as though he was a little terrified at his own thoughts ; 
his face lighted up with a fiendish expression, and his com- 
pressed lips and scowling brow revealed the workings of a 
temper that would not bo controlled. He started to his 
feet, and I saw his hand steal into the bosom of his coat ; 
but when Doland looked up, the hand was quickly withdrawn, 
and Thrasher asked, in a voice that was ominous, it was so 
calm, “ Won’t you wait tUl morning ? ” 

“ No, hang you for a sneak thief. Bring the box or I 
will — .” 

We watched every motion that Thrasher made, for we 
feared that he would strike a blow before the hiding-place 
of the jewels was revealed to us. He stood for a moment 
near Doland’s back, and I thought that the latter’s life was 
not worth insuring ; but the fellow turned, walkeni towards 


THE QUABEEL AND THE MUBDEB. 


57 


ihe ’Will, and stooping down in one corner, removed a board, 
thrust in his hand, and drew out a parcel covered with a 
newspaper. 

JDoland watched his operations with dogged sullenness. 
He seemed determined not to trust Thrasher after the 
parcel was in his hand. The latter approached the greasy 
table, and laid the bundle on it. Poland seized it with ®ager 
hands, and tore off the wrapper. We saw that it had cov^ 
ered a rich casket, inlaid with gold, and I heard Murden 
sigh as his eyes fell upon the glittering box ; and that sigh 
satisfied me that we had caught sight of the casket which 
belonged to the amiable lady of the lieutenant governor. 

“ Give me the key,” said Poland, in a fierce tone, when 
he found that the casket was locked. 

Thrasher handed him a golden key, without speaking a 
word. Poland unlocked the box, thrust in his hand, and 
held up to the light a necklace which contained a large 
number of diamonds. He then removed from the box a 
bracelet, and several other articles, all of them studded with 
precious stones ; for, dull as the light was, I could see them 
glisten and sparkle at every touch of the rough hands that 
handled them. 

“ m make choice of the necklace for my share of the 
plunder,” said Poland, after he had examined the jewels 
with drunken gravity. 

“ No, you don’t,” replied Thrasher ; “ you know that that 
is worth all the rest, and a thousand pounds added. Knock 
out some of the stones, and make the thing equal.” 

“Not a stone shall be touched. I’ve made my choice. 
You take the rest. I run more risk than you, and the best 
part belongs to me. You can’t deny it. Pidn’t I enter the 
government house by climbing up the spout ? Pidn’t I hang 
around there for two weeks ? ” 

“ And didn’t I do the planning ? ” asked the other, with a 
malignant sneer. 

“ Yes, and left the work for me to perforra. But I don’t 
want to talk with you. I’ve got my share of the plunder, 
and you may take yours.” 


58 


THE BUSHRANGEES. 


The fellow raised his voice so that we could have heard 
him even if wo had not been listening ; and this part seemed 
to strike Thrasher, for he laid a hand on Doland’s shoulder, 
and said, “ Not so loud ; the sailor-men in the other room 
will hear you. Speak softly.” 

I shall speak as I please, unless you are willing I should 
take this necklace for my share,” returned Poland, in a 
dogged tone. I saw that Thrasher hesitated for a moment, 
as though uncertain what course to pursue ; but as his eyes 
fell upon the jewels he looked dangerous. 

“ You consent ? ” asked Poland, and then, without waiting 
for an answer, he thrust the necklace into his pocket, and 
took up a pipe. 

In an instant Thrasher’s hand was on his neck, and with 
no gentle grasp. “ You mean scoundrel,” he cried, “ give 
ap that jewel, or I will strangle you ! ” 

Poland made an attempt to start from his seat, but 
Thrasher held him as though he was in a vice ; and a noise- 
less struggle commenced, for each party was fearful of 
attracting attention. We watched them with eager in- 
terest, and Hez left off snoring, and claimed a fair share 
of the peep-hole, so that he could see what was going on. 
I was not surprised to see Poland’s right hand, which had 
been tugging at his opponent’s arms to tear them from their 
hold, suddenly thrust into his bosom. 

“ Ah ! you would stick me, would you ? ” cried Thrasher, 
on whom the motion was not lost. “ You would kill your 
old pal, would you?” These questions were asked in 
hoarse whispers ; and they were not replied to for the very 
good reason that the gentleman to whom they were ad- 
dressed was not in a condition to answer pointed interroga- 
tions, his breath being hard to catch, and he had none to 
spare. 

But the right hand which Poland had raised was still 
searching in his breast pocket, and at last a long and 
vicious-looking knife was drawn. Thrasher saw the danger, 
and prepared for it. With a vigorous shove he sent Poland 
backwards to the floor, whipped out a knife, and made a step 






“ Thrasher had struck home, and the knife performed its allotted work.”— 

Page 59, 


I 







T^- - ^ “- r : • • . ^ V' ‘ >i^“^ - ^ • • - •- fr- ^ • • 








- • :•-!»*- 


•' * :. 










VHB QUABBEL AND THE MITBDEK. 


59 


forward ; and as he did so he encountered Doland, who was 
vowing vengeance on his former friend. 

“I’ll kill you!” Doland cried, and I think he meant it; 
but before he had time to carry out his excellent intention, 
Thrasher had struck home, and the knife performed its 
allotted work. It entered the person of Doland just under 
the right arm, and was withdrawn in a second ; and although 
the injured man made an attempt to stand and deal a blow 
in return, the effort was not successful. 

“ Curse you for a false pal,” he gasped ; “ you bar® 
killed me.” 

“ And saved my own life,” was the cool rejoinder, as thi 
fellow wiped the blade of his knife. 

I could hardly remain quiet while all this was going on. 

“ Keep quiet,” whispered the cool ex-police commissioner. 
“We want the jewels more than we want the man. Wait 
and see what he does with them.” We did wait, although 
the murder so affected the nerves of Hez that he could no 
longer snore, or even make the attempt. 

“ He died very quick, it seems to me,” I could hear 
Thrasher mutter, as though he was wondering why such was 
the case. 

He laid his hand on Doland’s breast, and felt of his flesh, 
and then appeared to be satisfied that the man was really 
dead. As he arose to his feet, his eyes fell upon the jewels, 
which still remained in the casket on the table. A smile of 
triumph passed over the man’s face as he took up the brace- 
let and examined it. 

“ The fool lost not only his share of the jewels, but his 
life, by his obstinacy ; ” and as Thrasher spoke, a huge rat, 
gray and venerable, left its hole and walked to the middle 
of the room, stopped for a moment to utter a most doleful 
squeak, and then waddled off to a hole in another part of 
the room. Thrasher turned as quick as if some one had 
called him by name. The perspiration stood in large drops 
upon liis brow, and he shuddered like one afflicted with the 
ague. But he soon saw what had occasioned the alar n, and 
he uttered a sigh of relief as he wiped the sweat from hij 


THE BtJSHRANGEES. 


CO 

bro^. “Hang the rats,” he muttered; “I thought some 
one was calling me by name. I must have some liquor or I 
shall be like an old woman before morning.” 

He turned and looked at the body, and then ajpeared to 
recollect that the diamond necklace was still in the dead 
man’s pocket. He stooped down, removed the jewel, and 
put it with the others, and then closed the casket. He then 
meditated for a moment, and at last raised the casket and 
attempted to put it in his breast ; but the box was too large, 
and after several attempts he walked towards the spot where 
the casket had been concealed, raised the board, dropped it 
out of sight, and then covered the place with the blankets — 
an act that met the approval of Murden, for he gave my arm 
an expressive pinch, and ventured on a low chuckle of de- 
light. Thrasher, as though anxious to leave the place, hur- 
ried to the table, blew out the light, and then groped his 
way to the door, locked it after him, and stole down stairs. 
We waited until we heard the outside door close, and then 
lighted our candle in the entry, so that the reflection should 
not show through the front windows, while Murden once 
mere picked the lock of the back room door; and then 
entering in a noiseless but hurried manner, we reached the 
body of Doland before we saw that, he was sitting up and 
looking at us with some astonishment depicted upon his face, 
which was white and bloody. 


CHAPTER Vn. 

IKE LOST DIAJfOKDS EECOVEEED. — THE ESCAPE. — THE 

r JHDEN ALABM. THE UNPLEASANT POSITION. HEZ 

PLAYS THE “INJUN.” THE PET AND HIS STKONQ ABM. 

As I have said before, Mrs. Trotter’s castle did not enjoy 
a favorable reputation in the most criminal district of Mel- 
bourne, for more than one murder had been committed in her 
House — and it was supposed that those who had quietly 


THE LOST DIAMONDS RECOVERED. Cl 

yielded up the ghost, after repeated blows from bludgeons, 
hatchets, and knives, were disposed to assume a ghostly 
shape, and walk through the house in the night time ; so 
when we saw Poland, whom we supposed dead, sitting up 
and staring at us as though he took us for supernatural vis- 
itors, we could not help starting back and retreating to the 
door ; but before we gained the entry, reason returned, and 
I had just time to catch Hez by the arm, and prevent him 
from diving down stairs, head first. 

“ Let me alone,” he said. “ That dead man has come to 
life, and I don’t want to see him.” 

“ Hush ! ” cried Murden, in a stern tone. “ We must 
make no noise, or we are lost. Come into the room. The 
man is not dead, and will not harm you.” Thus assured, 
Hez became pacified. We found Poland still sitting up, 
and watching our motions with much interest. 

“ What do you want here ? ” he asked, as scon as he was 
assured that we were earthly visitors. 

“ We came here to save your life,” Murden answered. 

“ Thank you, but I ain’t in any danger,” replied the man. 

“ And yet you are wounded, and pretended to be dead,” 
Murden said. 

“ And if I hadn’t pretended, I should have been dead in 
reality,” was the curt answer. 

“ Explain yourself, and bo quick about it, for we don’t 
want to lose time,” I said. 

“ Pon’t let me keep you up,” the fellow said, with a grin. 
“ I can take care of myself without your assistance.” 

We saw his motives, and exchanged smiles. The fellow 
wanted to get rid of us, so that he could seize on the casket 
and escape before his pal returned. 

“ Answer me this question,” Murden said, speaking to the 
burglar, who still sat on the floor ; “ why did you pretend to 
die so easily ? ” 

“Unless I had pretended I should now be in another 
sphere,” returned the fellow, with a short laugh. “ My pal 
struck at me before I was anticipating an attack. I saw that 
he had the advantage ; so I let him shove his knife into me. 


VHB BUSHBAKGBBS. 


and draw blood. And now that 1 have answered all yonf 
questions, you will please to leave my room.” The coolness 
of the man was something amusing, and we could not but 
admire it under the circumstances. 

“ We came here,” said Murden, in a . decided tone, and in 
a quiet manner, “ for the purpose of recovering some dia* 
monds which were stolen a few weeks since from the govern- 
ment house. Do you know anything about them ? ” 

Doland looked at us for a moment, as though he was 
judging how much knowledge we possessed ; and then he 
said, “ No, I don’t. This is no place for diamonds.” 

“ You are a liar, Mr. Pat Doland, alias Charles Brisley,” 
cried Murden. “ You see that I know you, and I know your 
history.” ^ 

The fellow looked surprised and somewhat alarmed as he 
asked, “ Who are you, and what do you know of my history ? ” 
“ No matter who I am, but in a few words I’ll tell your 
history. You received a good education at the hands of an 
indulgent father ; but you liked dissipation and bad company, 
and from petty crimes you took to burglary, was caught, 
sentenced, and since that sentence expired you have done 
some odd jobs, the biggest of which consisted in stealing a 
lady’s diamonds. Now what do you say for yourself? ” 

“ Nothing,” answered the man, in a sullen tone. 

“You see that I know you better than you know me,” 
Murden continued. 

The fellow looked up as my friend said this, and answered, 
“ I know you now. This is Mr. Murden.” 

“ You have guessed right. That is my name.” 

“ And I thought that you had cut the police business, or 
I should not be here at the present time,” Doland said. 

“ But you see that I have not. Now let us understand 
each other. You can give me some information respecting 
the jewels, and perhaps I can speak a good word for you 
before the beaks. What do you say ? ” 

Doland shook his head as he answered, “ Thrash sr carried 
off the box containing the di'unonds, and I never expect to 
see him or them again.” 


THB LOST DIAMONDS BECOYEBED. 

“Lying won’t serve your purpose, Doland. I thought 
that you knew me better than to suppose that a lie would go 
down with me.” 

“ So help me God, Mr. Murden, I speak the truth.” 
friend did not answer the fellow, but turned and spoke 
to me. 

“ Keep your eye on the man, and shoot him if he moves 
an inch,” he said, and then walked to the corner where the 
OLsket was concealed. 

Doland did not stir, but he watched Murden’s movements 
!i>e a cat in search of a rat. Murden kicked aside the 
b.&nkets, raised the board, and drew out the casket. This 
was too much for Doland. He uttered a groan, and fell back 
full length upon the floor, as thongh all hope had deserted 
iiim. 

“ You see,” cried Murden, “ that I have secured your 
prize. Have you anything to say ? ” 

“ No, curses on your luck ! ” retorted the baffled burglar. 
“We were told in Sydney to look out for you, but supposed 
iht.i we were safe.” 

“ And so you are, in my custody. Come ; I want you to 
50 with me, and if you utter a shout, or seek to attract at- 
tention, m make short work of you. Do not hope for a 
rescue as we pass through Mud Lane. We are armed with 
revolvers, and you will be the first man shot.” 

Doland arose from the floor in a sulky manner, and held 
out his hands. “ I suppose you want to put the bracelets on 
me, captain.” 

“ I don’t dare trust you without them.” The handcuffs 
closed on the man’s wrists. The prisoner did not utter a 
word of remonstrance against the treatment he received. 
He appeared to be thinking of other matters, and I supposed 
he was weighing all the chances of a trial, and wondering 
how many years’ imprisonment he would receive ; but I 
found that I was mistaken, for just as we were about to 
move towards the door, and make our escape from the house, 
Doland suddenly turned, uttered a shrill cry, ran across the 
room, and plunged headlong through one of the windows, 

3 


THE BUSHBANQESS. 


64 

taking glass and sask with him. We h3ard the fellow strike 
the ground in the yard, hack of the house ; but not a groan 
or a cry led us to imagine that he was injured, and though 
we rushed to the window and looked out, yet the night was 
so dark that we could see nothing, although Hez thought 
that he could hear footsteps retreating in a hasty manner. 

We listened for a moment or two at the open window, for 
the purpose of obtaining a trace of Doland, for we did not 
like to think that he had outwitted us in spite of our precau- 
tions ; but as aU was quiet, we began to think that we were 
losing time, and we were reminded of this quite strongly 
when we heard Mother Trotter at the front door, blaspheming 
in a mascuHne sort of way at the destruction of a windo w. 
We did not care to encounter that Amazon ; so we extin- 
guished the light, and threw up the second window, and 
looked out. The distance to the ground was not more than 
six feet, less than we had calculated, and with a whispered 
injunction to follow, Murden dropped from the window. 

“You next,” I said to Hez; and he disappeared like a 

shadow. • 

I stepped to the window, and dropped to the ground ; and 
the next instant I found myself in the strong grasp of two 
men, one of whom put a hand upon my throat, and the other 
pressed a pistol against my forehead. I was surprised, but 
not dismayed, for I had been in worse positions than the 
one in which I found myself ; and if I remained quiet while 
the ruffian compressed my windpipe, it was simply for the 
purpose of improving the best opportunity that I could find 
of making my escape. Finding that I did not struggle, the 
men who held me eased up on their grasp ; and one whis- 
pered, “ Give me the box, and we’U let you go.” 

“ YfhsLt box ? ” I asked. 

“Whist! confusion to ye,” was the answer. “Dont 
you make strange of it. Hand over the jewels, and we 11 let 
you run. Be quick, now, for the boys is cornin’, and then 
we can’t save ye. Bo ye hear ? ” 

“ Yes ; but I have them not. My friends have got them, 
and have run for it.” 


TH* UNPLEASANT POSITION. 


“ All ! now is that true ?” demanded one of the niffians : 
and he shook me in a fierce manner, as though to stir up the 
truth if I did not utter it. 

“ It is,” I answered ; and just at that moment a light was 
thrust from the window over our heads, and half a dozen 
wild faces, fierce and brutal, looked out upon us. 

“ We have one of ’em,” cried my captors, in triumphant 
tones ; and they shook me without opposition on my part 
for I did not think it best to show signs of strength. The 
ruflians at the window uttered a yell of triumph. 

“ The others is in the house,” cried my captors. “ This is 
the only one what has attempted to cut since we was here.” 

“ Hold him till we comes out with the crowd,” roared one 
dark-eyed fellow, with a face so thin and sharp that the 
light could not strike on it. “ We’ll break their bones and 
mince their flesh.” 

“ AJi ! we’ll teach ’em to rob honest fellers like us,” 
another one said, and then rushed to other parts of the 
house in search of Murden and Hez ; old Mother Trotter 
urging them on in fierce tones, and vowing vengeance 
against us for deceiving her as to our character. 

As soon as the light and crowd disappeared, the men who 
held me whispered, “ Give us the jewels, or tell us where 
they is, and we’ll let you cut, and niver a word shall the 
others know of it.” 

“ I have them not, I tell you. Now relieve my neck, and 
let me get a breath of air.” 

‘‘ Niver a bit,” was the answer. “ You should be kicked 
to death by all the honest men in Mud Lane. Ye has 
cheated us, and ye know it ; don’t ye ? ” 

I was about to reply ; but casting my eyes on the ground, 
I saw something move towards me, in a slow and cautious 
manner, and without the least noise. My amiable friends, 
who had me by the neck, did not seo the object that attract* 
ed my attention; for they were facing me, and jamming 
me against the wall just as though I had no feeling in the 
vicinity of my throat, and did not need breath to support m^ 
existence. At first I thought it was one of those hugi 


66 


THE BUSHKANGEB8. 


black snakes which I had met with in the ncinity of Bai- 
larat and the Lodden ; but I was not long under such an 
impression, for just as the ruffians who held me were dis- 
posed to kick my shins and punch me in the ribs, the creep- 
ing object suddenly arose, and with a blow that would have 
done honor to the Manchester P et, struck one of the rough 
gentlemen on the side of his head, and over he tumbled , 
and at the same moment, a form glided towards me on the 
left, and served the remaining inhabitant of Mud Lane in 
the same manner. 

“ Gol darn their pictures ! ” cried Hez, who had crawled 
on his stomach until he had struck a blow for my relief; 
“ didn’t I Injun ’em that time ? ” 

“You’ll make a bush-hunter in time,” saidMurden, in a 
tone that savored of admiration. “I never saw a thing 
done handsomer.” 

“ Why did you leave me ? ” I asked. 

“ We heard a crowd of the Mud-Laners at the front of 
the house ; so we started to see what they were after. Doland 
and Thrasher have joined forces, and raised the neighbor- 
hood. TVTien we returned we found that the scamps had 
posted two men under the window. But come ; we have no 
time for more explanations. The whole of the crowd will be 
after us in a few minutes.” 

As he spoke, we could hear the Mud-Laners in Mother 
Trotter’s palace utter howls of rage because we had escaped 
from the place ; and while we were talking, one of the win- 
dows over our heads was dashed out without ceremony, 
scattering the glass in all directions ; and then Thrasher’s 
head was thrust out, and he shouted, “ Hold on to that man 
till we come down. We’ll learn him to rob an honest man 
of his earnings.” The head, and light that revealed it to 
our gaze, disappeared from view. 

“We must leave, and in a hurry,” said Murden. “We 
have no time to lose if we would avoid the beauties of Mud 
l^e ” 

Eriting the prostrate men a kick as we passed them, to 
sea if they were conscious, and finding that they were not, 


Alf ESCAPE FROM THE PM. 


we ran for a narrow alley that would take ns to the head of 
Mttd Lane ; but we had not advanced four rods, before w« 
saw a dozen of the neighboring roughs rushing towards us ; 
but as they had not seen us, it was easy t« avoid them. 
We retreated hastily, ran across an open space in the rear of 
some hovels which sheltered +he worst people in Melbourne, 
and, late as it was, lights were still seen in the windows, 
as though the people sat up all night. These lights guided 
us on our way, Murden leading. He climbed over a fence, 
and we followed close at his heels. We stumbled through 
a ditch, were chased by dogs, and at last entered a narrow 
passage-way, rushed through it, and at the end found our- 
selves in the strong arms of the Manchester Pet, who saluted 
us with, — 

“ Now, you coves, Pve got you. If you moves, PU crack 
your bones like sticks ; and the strength of his arms showed 
that he was in earnest. 


CHAPTER Vm. 

AHf ESCAPE PROM THE PET. THE PTTRSFIT. THE JOLLT 

SAILORS. THE ARREST AND DISCHARGE. 

Op course we struggled after we found the Pet had thrown 
his arms around us ; but the muscular man held on to us, 
and seemed determined to crush us in his embrace. He 
had stationed himself at the entrance of the alley up which 
we had rushed, and caught us in a trap ; and now that he 
had us, as he thought, secure, he did not call for help, or 
appear desirous of letting the rest of the Mud-Laners know 
that he had secured a prize. It was so dark that he could 
not see our faces ; so he did not recognize us as the persons 
who had drank beer on his premises in the early part of the 
evening ; but we easily detected him every time he jammed 
ns against the wooden building, by his being without a jacket, 
and on account of his size. 


IB 


THE BUSHKANGKHS. 


“ Give me the jewels, and you coves can ruij home as fist 
as you please. Don’t say that you haven’t got ’em, ’cos I 
knows better. Fork ’em over, and we’ll quit company.” 

“ We don’t know anything about your jewels,” Murden 
replied. “ Let us alone, or it wiU be the worse for you. ’ 

“ What I Rats that you are, do you threaten me ? ” roared 
the giant; and once more he commenced the business of 
cracking our ribs; but Hez, who had a strong prejudice 
against such treatment, slipped from the anaconda embrace 
like an eel; and although we had to receive a double dose 
cf pressure on account of Hez’s movement, yet we were not 
selfish enough to repine, and accuse him of a want of good 
faith. 

“ Ah, warmints ! ” cried the Pet, with a squeeze that 
nearly took away our breath, “ will you give me the jewels, 
and say nothin’ about ’em ? Must I call the Mud-Laners 
here, and let ’em jump at you ? Don’t you provoke me too 
much, ’cos I can’t stand it. If you want me for a friend, 
hand over the shiners ? ” 

At this moment the giant’s attention was attracted by 
something at his feet. He released us to look down, and 
that movement was fortunate for us ; for we broke from his 
grasp, made a rush for the entrance of the alley, being 
stimulated by the shouts of the enthusiastic Mud-Laners, 
who, having started out for the purpose of shooting some 
one, or committing an outrage of some kind, were just now 
debating the propriety of hanging a peaceable man because 
he would not supply the crowd with gin, without price and 
without questions. We should have succeeded in effecting 
our escape if we had not fallen over Hez, whom we did not 
notice in our eagerness. As soon as we touched the ground, 
the giant rushed for us, uttering several oaths at our attempts 
to evade his embraces ; but he had taken only one or two 
st-ups when he fell with a crash that shook the building in 
the vicinity, and the instant he touched the ground, Hea 
bounded over the prostrate form, and shouted, — 

“ Come on ; the Pet can’t come to time, if I know it.” 

We scrambled to our feet, and followed on, the Pel 


THE PUESUIT. 


6 ^ 


tttterfng such oaths and yells that he attracted the notice of 
ihe Mud-Laners, and they came rushing down the dark 
street, howling and swearing, to see what the matter was. 

We ran as fast as we could, Hez leading the way, although 
he had not the slightest idea where he was going. The 
Mud-Laners caught sight of us as we passed the door of a 
dance hall through which the light was streaming out, and 
they uttered shouts of warning for the purpose of rousing 
the denizens of the place, and getting them to head us off, 
and turn us back upon the main body. In fact their object 
would have been successful, had not a curious incident 
saved us. 

The inhabitants of the district through which we passed 
were mustering to their doors and windows, attracted by the 
noise and the hope of plundering some one ; and the Mud- 
Laners were close upon our heels, when we suddenly turned 
a corner, and entered a street which was very well lighted, 
and apparently filled with dance halls and dri* king saloons. 
Just at this instant, we saw standing on the sidewalk a 
dozen or twenty sailors, most of them with liquar enough on 
board to render them willing to espouse any cause. The^ 
were discussing the propriety of taking a drink when we 
hove in sight ; but all such talk was abolished the instant 
that the tars saw that three fiien, dressed as sailors, were 
scudding before a lot of landsmen. 

“ Hereto a row,” cried one of the tars ; “ let’s take a hand 
in it.” 

The sailors uttered a cheer, and rushed into the middle 
of the street, and thus we found ourselves between two fires ; 
for we could not retreat, and to advance was dangerous. 

“ Leave all to me,” I whispered to Murden and Hez, as 
we slackened our pace, and approached the sailors ; for I 
had marked out the course which it was most dosirable we 
should pursue. 

“ All right ; go ahead,” wt.s the response. 

“^hip ahoy ! ” I hailed, when within a few fathoms of the 
tars, who were expecting a charge, and had prepared for it, 

“ Ay, ay ; what cheer ? ” was the answer. 


70 


THE BUSHBANQBBS. 


“ Brother sailors, with a signal of distress,” I cried. 

“ Bun under our lee, and we’ll look into it ; ” and the me* 
advanced to meet us. 

We got in the rear of the sailors, and then they asked 
only a few questions ; for the Mud-Laners were too near to 
permit much talk. 

“ What cheer, my hearties ? ” they said, as they crowded 
around us, and took a keen survey of our appearance ; and 
although we were covered with mud and dirt, enough of our 
clothing was visible to show that we were sailors, or wore 
the garb of seafaring men. 

“ The sharks in our rear,” I gasped ; for I was tired after 
the hard run that the Mud-Laners had given us. “ Want to 
sell us, and be hanged to ’em.” 

“ Are you runaways ? ” asked an old salt. 

“ Yes ; we cut for it ’cos we had hard usage, and nothir* 
to eat but rice and wormy bread.” ^ 

“ Clubs and stones, lads,” shouted an old salt, who seemed 
to be the leader of the men. 

The sailors answered with a cheer, picked up all the 
stones, bottles, and tumblers that they could lay hands on, 
and then awaited the onset. The Mud-Laners noted the 
preparations, and paused some eight or ten fathoms from us. 

“We want those rascal thieving coves,” cried Thrasher. 
“ They has stolen something from us, and run for ic. Give 
them up, and .we’ll stand the liquor; refuse, and we’ll come 
to blows.” 

“ And does you think that we cares for your blows ? ” cried 
an old salt. “ You just come to us, and we’ll make you 
sing wuss than a feller what has to take four dozen afore 
breakfast. Now go home, and stay there, ’cos these men is 
shipmates, and we stands by ’em.” 

“ But they has stolen something from us,” cried Dola^d. 

“Never you mind that,” the old salt said, with a giuve 
shake of his head. “ If they has stole, you must provs it, 
and if you don’t prove it, why, what is the consequence ? ” 

“Ay, ay; what is thsy?” repeated the sailors, in an 
admiring tone. “ Tom can beat the big wigs at hargument.” 


THE JOLLY SAILORS. 


n 


“ It’s cos I steers a straight course, and avoids the shoals 
tind quicksands of nonsense,” was old Tom’s contented re- 
mark ; and although such sound sense and chunks of wisdom 
contented the jolly tars, it did not prove satisfactory to the 
Mud-Laners, and one of them, more impatient and impudent 
than the others, hurled a stone, near a pound weight, at the 
venerahle head of the man who had propounded such logical 
questions for the admiration of his shipmates. The stone 
touched the o^ J salt’s tarpaulin, knocked it half off his head, 
and then glance i and went through the window of a porter- 
house. 

“ Steady,” cried the sailor, who was an old man-of-war’s- 
man, and had learned to take things coolly. “We has 
drawed their fire, and now we’ll pipe all hands to quarters 
and return it. Hingland expects every man to do his duty. 
Kail oar colors to the mast, and go in and lick the lank 
landsmen clean out of their breeches.” 

This inspiring speech was received with cheers by the 
sailors. The Mud-Laners heard the cries, and knew that 
they had much work before them. It was not the first time 
that the Mud-Laners and a party of sailors had met in hos- 
tile array ; but the cause of the fight was not, as a general 
thing, of a serious nature ; a look, a word, a glass of liquor, 
was enough to set them at work. But this time the charac- 
ter of sailors had been assailed by imputation, and that 
was sufficient to cause the tars to fight most valiantly for 
their good name, while some of the Mud-Laners, who were 
ever ready to plunder, and cared but little for glory, backed 
-out when they saw that hard knocks were to be exchanged, 
and nothing gained by it, except the opportunity of picking 
some person’s pocket, while lying in the street insensible, 
under the influence of a broken head. Even the Pet, who 
had vowed vengeance, suddenly recollected that his amiable 
daughter was all alone in his porter-house, and needed a 
father’s protection. He slipped away to the rear, out across 
some darn alley, and got out of the affair with honor, as he 
thaught. 

A.U these things the sailors saw, and their spirits rose iq 
6 


fs tmt BUSHBAKOEBS. 

proportion. As they noticed the thinned ranks of their foes 
they cheered most lustily, and with the cheer poured in such 
a compact fire of stones, mud, and sticks, that the Mud- 
Laners wavered, fell back, and then, when they saw the 
sailors advance with triumphant yeUs, broke and run for the 
dark alleys. The tars uttered such howls of triumph that 
even the police were attracted by the sound, and came down 
the street in force ; and as soon as the sailors caught sight 
cf their enemies, the “ traps,’^ they delivered a parting vol- 
ley at the Mud-Laners, cursed them for cowardly dogs, and 
then turned and fled to the nearest saloons. 

It must not be supposed that we were quiet all this time. 
Far from it. We would not desert our brave allies, and 
when they charged we went with them, and when they hurled 
stones we did the same, and when they scattered to the right 
and left, we quietly walked off, but had gone but a few paces 
when the police, thinking that the time had arrived for them 
to distinguish themselves, and seeing that we were disposed 
to be peaceable, suddenly made a rush, and we found our- 
selves surrounded, to the great terror of Hez, who looked 
upon a police officer as a being of superhuman power and 
importance. 

“We caught you at it,” cried the sergeant, who had 
charge of the party. “ Don’t you go for to deny it. We 
seed you throw stones at those highly respectable citizens 
what run when we hove in sight.” 

“ And who, in heaven’s name, wouldn’t run after catching 
a sight of your face ? ” returned Murden. 

The sergeant of the force, who had never been outside of 
the city’s limits in search of such game as bushrjHigers, eyed 
Hmrden with a glance that did not argue much for the ex- 
commissioner’s happiness the coming six hours. In fact, 
he made such desperate attempts to pierce and freeze the 
very soul of my friend, that I could no longer contain my- 
self, and I roared with laughter ; and in this Ilez and Mui'- 
den joined. 

“ Ho, ho,” croaked the sergeant ; “ we’ll see who’ll laugh 
After a night at the station-house. We’ll see what you’ve 




“We caught you at it! “ cried the sergeant, “Don’t you go for to 

deny it.” — Page 72. 


/! 




■' t 


' ■» i 














TH15 ARREST AND DISCHARGE. 


73 


got to say afore the beak in the morning. Hang your im- 
pudence, what do you mean by grinning at a hofficer of the 
law in that way ? ” The indignant fellow raised his club, and 
made a motion to strike us ; but Murden drew back, and for 
the first time assumed a dignity that well became him. 

“Hold your hand,” he cried. “You have but a poor 
idea of an officer’s duty if you think that he can club a man 
for laughing.” 

“ Well, you is werry impudent, at any rate,” muttered the 
sergeant. “ I won’t strike you, but I’ll take you to the sta- 
tion-house. Bring ’em along.” 

“ Why not whisper to them who you are ?” I asked Mur- 
den, as the officers closed around us. 

“ Hush ! don’t mention such a thing,” was the reply. 
“We are not yet clear of the Mud-Laners. Keep mum ; all 
will be well.” 

We marched along, Hez laboring under an impression that 
he was to be transported to the hulks, or sent up the country 
and set to work on the roads ; and while whining we reached 
the vicinity of gas lights. Then, for the first time, did Mur- 
den begin to breathe as though he was safe, and as though 
the valuable jewels which he carried in his breast were to be 
the means of purchasing his restoration to rank and honor, 
riches and importance. In fact, so easy did he feel in re- 
gard to the future, that more than once he made an attempt 
to whistle a lively march, and only broke down when the 
gooseberry-looking sergeant ordered less noise. 

At the station-house we were ushered into the presence 
of the officer who had command of the watch at that hour 
of the night. The official sat at a desk, writing. His 
back was towards us ; so we waited for him to turn round 
and see if we knew him. At last he threw down his pen 
and faced us. To our surprise and pleasure it was Lieuten- 
ant Maurice, our old friend and companion. We pulled our 
saps over our eyes so that he would not immediately recog- 
nize us, and then waited for his judgment. It was given in 
a few words. Casting his eyes over us with a quick glance, 
he said, — 


74 


THE BDSHRAIffGEBS. 


“ Where did you pick up these miserahle-lookingscamps?” 

“ Fighting, sir, in Wretched Cove Court,” was the reply 
of the sergeant. “ Caught ’em at it. This chap was throw- 
ing stones. I seed him.” He pointed to Murden. The 
police officer was a most proficient liar, and I looked at him 
with admiration, as a most excellent representation of a cer- 
tain class of Australians. 

** Put them in No. 5,” said Maurice, “ and bring me their 
names.” 

“ Ha ! ha ! what did I tell you ? ” chuckled the sergeant, 
as he pushed us towards a ceU. 

“ Pm not going in there,” replied Murden. Pm going 
home.” 

“ 0, you will, will you ? ” asked the sergeant in an iron- 
ical tone. “ Perhaps you will let me accompany you.” 

“ I have no objections. Pm sure ; ” and as Murden spoke 
he removed the false beard, and rubbed off some of the 
mud which had clung to his nose and eyebrows, ana at the 
same moment he took off his cap and stood before the as- 
tonished officers, all of whom knew him as well as they 
knew each other. 

I glanced at the sergeant. He was so surprised that he 
forgot to blush, or speak a word ; but as soon as he recov- 
ered his presence of mind, he said, — 

“ I ’opes, Mr. Murden, that you don’t think I would do 
this on a-purpose, do you ? ” 

“ I think this, Birney,” was the reply : “ You don’t un- 
derstand your business as well as you should. You have 
made a false charge against us, and if that was known at 
headquarters it would cost you your place.” 

“ I ’opes, Mr. Murden, that you won’t go for to speak a 
hard word agin a poor feller,” whined the sergeant. 

“ Go to your beats, men,” the lieutenant ordered, “ and 
keep the Mud-Laners steady. Sergeant, you will report 
yourself under arrest.” 

As soon as the men left the station for their respective 
beats, Maurice called us into his private room, and asked in 
a whisper, as though he feared that the walls had oars. 


THE AEEEST AND DISCHARGE. 


75 


“ What is it all about? SometliiDg is going ou, or you two 
would not be together at this hour of the night. Can 1 
know the secret ? ” 

“ You should know it without our telling you,” I replied. 

Maurice thought for a moment, and then said, “ It’s the 
diamonds, I’U wager a nugget. Have you a trace of them ? ” 

“ Perhaps we have,” Murden answered, “ but it won’t do 
for us to say much about them just at present. You know 
there is a thousand pounds reward.” 

“Yes; but if there were two thousand offered, and I 
thought that you could lay a hand on the sparklers, and 
through their means be restored to your former rank, I’d 
keep my mawlers off of them, although I’m a poor man, and 
the reward is a temptation.” 

“ I believe you, Maurice,” cried Murden, with a grasp of 
his hand. “ I know that you have always stood by me dur- 
ing adversity, and if I am restored you shall not suffer for 
70ur friendship.” 

“Yes,” said Maurice, with a bright smile and in a mean- 
ng tone ; “let us once more beat for bushrangers, and I 
hink that I can make more money than the diamonds would 
■.)ring me. With you to command, and I to second you, I 
ihink that we should rake ’em.” 

I thought that I should laugh, but I managed to keep a 
lober face, as I shook hands with the lieutenant and bade him 
50od night. Then we left the station-house, walked through 
he sultry, hot, deserted streets, and arrived home just as 
iaylight began to show itself. A bath, a cup of good coffee, 
Aesh from the plantations of the Philippine Islands, a mild 
cigar, a few words of congratulation, and a hasty examina- 
tion of the jewels, to see if all were in the casket, and then 
they were locked up in a burglar-proof safe, and we retired 
to bed. 


76 


THE BUSHEANQBB8. 


CHAPTER IX. 

HEZ AND nis FEELINGS. — THE FAT POBTEB AND THE 
PAGE. THE GOVZENOE’g WIFE. 

** Is it your intention to sleep all day ? ” asked Murder, 
when he saw that I had rubbed open my eyes and was glar- 
ing at him in rather a savage manner, for man’s temper is 
never of a sweet nature if he is awakened from a deep sleep. 

“ Did you wake me up for the express purpose of asking 
such a question ? ” I replied, looking at Hez with a feeling 
of envy, for that universal genius was snoring the snores of 
the just. 

“ It’s no use,” cried Murden. “ You can’t go off again. 
I have business for you, and it must be attended to.” 

In half an hour we were sipping our coffee, eating cold 
kangaroo and dry toast, about as contented a body of men 
as could be found in Melbourne. As soon as breakfast was 
over, Murden announced the important information which he 
had but briefly alluded to. 

“We must visit Lady Clemenstena, the wife of the gov- 
ernor,” he said. “ She will feel anxious to hear something 
of her jewels, and therefore will give us a cordial welcome. 
Besides, she is a pretty woman, and you like to look at hand- 
fome faces.” 

I thought of the dark, blue-eyed bar-maid, and sighed. 

“ Let continued Murden, “ dress as becomes gentle- 
men. We have need of good clothes and much impudence 
if we seek to carry our point. To-day’s work will decide 
my fate. If I am fortunate, in one week’s time I shall be 
restored to my position, and if I am not, I leave Australia, 
never ta return.” 

While on the way I stole a look at Hez’s costume. It was 
better than I anticipated, although his vest was a little short, 
and his pants rather too tight for the warm weather. Mur- 
den was dressed in a thin suit, white linen pants and vest. 


THE FAT PORTER AND THE PAGE. 


77 


with a dark coat ; and my costume was similar, for I knew 
what was expected at the government house, which I had 
visited many times during my first sojourn in Australia. 

“You have the jewels ? ” I asked, as we drove through 
some of the streets. 

Murden touched his breast pocket. 

“ And you intend to 3rield them up without conditions and 
without reward ? ” 

“ Only such as you can make for me,” was the cool answer. . 

I looked at him in surprise. I did not understand him. 
Murden smiled. 

“ You don’t think me such a ninny as to ask for a favor 
just after I have conferred one, do you ? ” 

“ Why not ? ” 

“ Simply because it would not have the effect that I desire. 
Her ladyship is a romantic woman, and if I restore the jew- 
els to her, and say that I ask for no reward, she would feel 
that I desired one. Don’t you notice my strategy ? ” 

I did begin to have a slight view of it. , 

“ Then you stand on your dignity, and I act the friendly, 
disinterested part, which is to benefit you ? ” 

“ Precisely; so we need say no more on the subject.” 

We reached the government house just at twelve o’clock, 
and without waiting for an invitation — which it is extremely 
doubtful if we should have received, even if we had remained 
for a week in our carriage — : we entered tne palace, and found 
ourselves confronted by as bloated a looking porter as ever 
left the shores of old England to be bitten by fleas and other 
insects in Australia. 

For a few minutes the porter looked at us without speak- 
ing, and then a frown gathered on his brow, and he said, 
“ I shouldn’t have expected it of you, Mr. Murden ; no, I 
shouldn’t.” 

“ WTiy, what do you mean, Tony ? ” asked Murden. 

“ To think that you should come ’ere at this time o’ day, 
jist when his lordship and her ladyship is a goin’ to take 
lunch, is more than I can believe without seein’ with my own 
hyes.’' 


n 


¥H1C BUSBBAlffGEBS. 


“ But we have business with her ladyship, Tony, and she 
will feel offended unless she sees us ; so, like a good fellow 
that you are, just pass the word, and let us slide by.” 

The addle-headed old fool shook his pate and sighed. 

“ I can’t do it, Mr. Murden, indeed I can’t, unless you can 
show me the keerd of invitation. It’s as much as my place 
Is worth, and you knows it.” 

“ I know that I have some real English ale in my house. 
It came here in the British ship Noble Son, and is as fresh 
as the day that it was put on board ; but not a drop goes 
down Tony’s throat, if it was as parched as the Desert of 
Sahara, unless I speak with her ladyship within an hour.” 

The expression of the man’s face was something wonder- 
ful to behold while Murden was speaking. His great, bloated 
tongue was thrust out, and licked his lips as though he could 
in imagination taste the beverage which Murden had spoken 
of. He pressed his fat hands upon his paunch, and, in a 
hoarse whisper, asked, “ Is it the real stunnin’ Hinglish 
hale?” 

“ As sparkling and lively as a young girl of seventeen in 
search of a husband,” was the answer. 

“ And you have a cask of it ? ” 

“Yes.” 

“ And you won’t give me a drop of it ? ” 

“ Not a drop, unless you send word to her ladyship that 
we wish to speak to her.” 

The fellow’s face showed how much the struggle cost 
him ; but at last a gleam of light seemed to flash over it, as 
though he could see his way out of all difficulties, and he 
whispered, — 

“ Mr. Murden, you have a woice that charms me ; but you 
know I’d lose my place, unless I could give an excuse for 
sending you up. You see there’s so many of the common 
trash what comes here, — men and vimen vot don’t know 
nothin’ about high life, — that I has to be on my guard all 
the time. Now, you see, if you could only say that you 
vanted to ax her ladyship about her lost diamonds, vy, it 
vould help you and me too, ’cos I could drink the hale vil^ 


THE FAT PORTEB AND THE PAGE. 7 § 

you vas drinkin’ her ladyship’s vords. Ha, ha ! ” and th« 
porter laughed at his jest until his fat sides shook like a 

“ You have hit the nail this time, Tony, as I knew you 
could if you tried,” cried Murden. “ Send word that we 
wish to speak with her regarding the diamonds.” 

“ And arter you has made a few inquiries about the 
jewels,” continued the porter, “ vy, I don’t care if you does 
speak to her about some conwict, or some ticket-of-leave 
man, vhom you vants pardoned. I knows nothin’ about that, 
you know.” 

Murden looked sly, and that pleased the fat porter so 
much that he was seized with such a violent fit of internal 
laughter that I feared he would burst; but he recovered 
sufficiently to touch a bell, and look grave and profound, 1 ut 
terribly red in the face, as a page appeared. 

“ You lump of lampblack, these ’ere gentlemen vant to 
speak with her ladyship.” 

“Can’t do it,” said the page, .standing on one foot. 
“ She’s eatin’, and when she’s eatin’ she won’t see any one ; 
you know dat, Tony. We is jist takin’ our lunch, and do 
wittles is good. I seed what it was, and I means to hah 
some.” 

The little imp once more made the circuit of the porter, 
seemed inclined to stand on his head by way of diversion, 
thought better of it, and then butted Tony as a compromise. 

“ Look a-here, you imp of Satan,” roared the fat English- 
man ; “ go tell her ladyship that«three gentlemen want to 
see her in the green room about her diamonds, and that one 
of ’em is Mr. Murden.” 

“ If she shies a dish at dis head of mine, I shall pizen yor 
beer, Tony ; ” and, with these words, the imp left us, disap- 
pearing up the broad staircase. 

“ He’s a warmint,” said the fat porter, taking a seat, and 
crossing his legs in a reflective mood. “ He vas took by 
his ludship from a Hamerican valeship. The Hamericans is 
all Hacks, you know, every one of ’em, ’cept the Hinglish 
what ivea there to instruct ’em and mako ’em civil, like ua 


80 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


Britons vot knows everything, and more too, and lamed it 
all ourselves.” 

The fat porter paused, thought for a moment, and then 
continued : “ This black warmint belonged to the cap’n of 
the valeship, and very proud of him he vas. He used to 
lick him every day to make him civil ; but I don’t think he 
vas much improved by that operation, ’cos you can see vot 
the imp is now. But vot can you hexpeet from Hamericans, 
vot is black, and don’t know no better nor nothin’ ? ” 

Murden winked to me not to say a word in reply ; so I 
remained ‘ silent, for the fellow was not worth the expense 
of an argument. And indeed I had no time to set him 
right, had I been so disposed ; for the little page appeared 
at the head of the stairs, slid down by the banisters, uttered 
a subdued yell, danced around the porter once more, Stopped 
suddenly, and jerked out a few words, which we understood 
to mean that her ladyship would see us. The fat porter 
aimed a blow at the page, but the grinning imp easily 
avoided it, and once more straddled the banisters, and 
attempted to slide up stairs ; but failing in this, although 
somewhat puzzled to account for it, he commenced to go up 
the stairs on his knees, and he would have gone on his head 
if he could have done so. 

We followed the little wretch, and were shown into the 
reception-room, furnished very plainly, with Canton matting 
on the floor, and green curtains, to repel the hot sun, at the 
windows. The chairs were willow, the lounge was bamboo — 
a Chinese institution, mos4 exquisitely carved and figured, 
bearing the handiwork of that patient people, in every form 
and grotesque shape, that ornamented the front and back. 
Leading from the room,, which was large and square, were 
folding doors, and through these we expected the lady to 
appear ; nor were we disappointed, for the black imp, with 
a grin and a chuckle, said, — 

“ Now, you gemmen, jist stay here ; sot down or stand up, 
jist as you please ; but mind and keep yer hats off ; and when 
her ladyship come in de room, do yer get up, lay yer hand 
on yer stomach, and bow jist as you see me now.” 


TH* QOYSJtHO& a WIFE. 


81 


He bent over to illustrate, but Hez could no longer endure 
the little ape’s airs. He was not so tolerant to the black 
race as the bold Briton who was with us ; so when the lad’s 
body had formed a curve, Hopeful’s foot was raised, and 
landed on the centre of the grinning imp. He plunged 
forward, struck on his hands and knees, but was up in a 
moment. 

“What for you do dat?” he asked. “WTiat I do to 
you ? ” 

“ You little imp of darkness,” said Hopeful, with a stem 
look, “ do you mean to larn us free-born ’Mericans how to 
behave in the presence of company ? ” 

“ But how’s I gwine to know ’bout dat ? ” said the imp, 
rubbing his person. “Don’t I ho,b to tell most of de fat 
Englishmen how to act ; and I s’pose you all de same.” 

And then his feeling of wrong was forgotten, as ho 
thought of the fact that Hez was an American ; and once 
more the grin returned to his face, as he asked, “ WTiat 
part you come from ? Me come from old Maryland. M<j 
slave at one time. Run away and go to sea. No like 
whaleship. Much work and no chance to sleep. Make me 
run arter tings all de time. Me ’Merican, and me is proud 
to see you.” 

It was impossible to withstand the auvances of such a 
genius ; so we smiled on him, and gave him a silver dol- 
lar, and the imp was just £bout to stand on his head, when 
the folding doors were thrcTm open with a noiseless slide, 
and we had just time to arise and form a group, when in 
glided a lady dressed very plain, but with an aristocratic- 
looking face that was quite taking. 

We saw all that, and then a liveried servant annou.’aood^, 
“Her ladyship, the wife of the governor-general.” Ht 
attered these words, and then disappeared. 


THB BUSHBABGEBS. 




CHAPTEH X. 

T trg GOTEBNOB AND HIS WIFE. A STBONQ PULL FOB A 

COMMISSION. 

Eeb ladyship, the wife of the governor-general, was about 
thirty-five years of age, of commanding figure, graceful in 
her movements, with a full, round, English form, a splendid 
complexion, clear white and red, little pink ears, a most 
lovely hand, it was so small and transparent, and a little 
foot which peeped from beneath her thin white dress, and 
showed that it was clothed in a most unexceptionable slipper. 
In her hair was braided several roses, or plants indigenous 
to Australian gardens ; but about her person there was no 
jewelry, with the exception of a plain gold ring, which all 
English women are proud to wear when married. It is the 
last ornament that is parted with in case of pecuniary dis- 
tress, and violent is the grief which she manifests even when 
compelled to pledge the slim rim of gold for the sake of 
obtaining a little food. It is her badge of honesty, and 
with it on her finger, she car. show her face to the world 
without a blush or thought of shame. And such is its sacred 
nature;, that even those who should wear one for the sake of 
character and reputation, seldom impose upon the public by 
a false certificate of goodness. 

But while I h^ve been rambling, the governor’s wife is 
standing in the centre of the room, her eyes taking in our 
dimensions at a glance ; for she was a woman of the world, 
and could read character like the open pages of a book. 

* She knew Morden by sight and name, for he had met her 
once or twice when commissioner ; but her station was so 
far above his own, that a slight smile and a mere nod of 
the head were sufficient to remind him that he was not for- 
gotten. 

During all this time we were on our feet, bowing quite 
low, with the exception of Hez, who whispered in my ear, 


TH8 GOViJKNOB AI(D HlS mTK, 


88 


Slio’s jisb like my Martha, only twice as proud, and not so 
party.” 

“ Hush ! ” I said. “ She may hear you.” 

“ I don’t care if she does,” was the answer. “ It’s true, 
hy jingo ; and I know it, if you don’t.” 

Her ladyship saw the action, but did not catch the words, 
of course; so she paused a moment, put her gold eye- 
glasses to her eyes, and then said, in rather a low tone, to be 
lure, but still quite distinct, and with a rich voice, “ This 
Is Mr. Murden, I think.” 

Mr. Murden ducked his head, took a step forward, and 
then one backward, wiggled a little, and replied, “Yes, 
mum.” 

“ And the other gentlemen,” said her ladyship, “ do I 
know them ? ” 

“ No, mum,” was the reply ; and Murden took another 
step forward, a second step backward and ducked his head 
as usual. 

Her ladyship did not ask the question ; but her looks said 
quite plainly, “ Who are they ? ” 

“ This gentleman, mum,” said Murden, pointing his thumb 
at me, “ is no stranger in Australia. He spent some years 
here at one time, and now comes back ’cos he likes the 
country so much. He was very celebrated the time he was 
here. You may have heard of him, mum ; ” and Murden 
gave my whole name. 

Her ladyship smiled in the most genial manner, as 
thougu she was familiar with some of my antecedents. 

“ Is it possible that I see one of those brave .Americans 
who rendered so much service to the country a few years 
since, or before my husband took office ? ” 

“ Yes, mum, this is the man,” cried Murden. “ His com- 
panion is dead — died of what disease?” and Murden 
turned to me for information. 

I did not answer Murden, for her ladyship, with ready tacfc, 
saw my position, and hastened to relieve me. 

“ I regret to hear that your brave and gallant oomra^ie is 
dead. The world can ill afford to spare such heroes. 1 


84 


THE BUSHEANQEE8. 


wish we had more of the same kind. If we had,” — and here 
she looked hard at Murden, — “I don’t think that so many 
robbers would go unpunished in the colony. I am sure it is 
very dreadful that they should be about, but it is much more 
dreadful that they should steal one’s valuables and go un- 
puniahcd.” 

“ Yes, mum,” Murden hastened to answer, “ I wish we had 
% few more like the dead and gone Mr. Frederick. We 
would not allow bushrangers much peace. But why do I 
utter such a wish f’’ Murden said, as though he had just re- 
membered f. certain fact. “ It is nothing to me. I am not 
in the department, and therefore should not repine because 
matters are not conducted to suit me.” . 

The pensive tone in which this was uttered was most 
admirable. Murden was a skilful detective, and knew the 
workings of a human heart as well as most men ; consequently, 
he was not surprisea wUen her ladyship asked with a sort of 
fashionable listlessness, and with a slight flourish of her 
glass, — 

“ Why did you leave the department, IVIr. Murden ? ” 

“ Because, mum,” was the answer, “ there were certain 
charges brought against me by a bushranger, a fellow whom 
I had captured, and whose word was not worth an Australian 
sheep. But I am content. I have escaped the vexations of 
office, and can live like a private citizen, happy and contented 
under the wise rule of your honored husband, whom ail men 
praise and love.” 

“ Except the opposition,” cried the lady, in a quick tone, 
but with a sweet smile at the flattery respecting her husband. 
“ You know they say that he is incompetent for the office.” 

She smiled as though she knew that such remarks were 
tmjust, and before the sunbeam had died away, Murden had 
disclaimed the horrible insinuation. 

“ A more noble, honorable gentleman than the lord, your 
husband, never occupied the government house; and as for 
those opposition men, they would disgrace any country.” 

I saw that the conversation was assuming a political turn 
•—a dangerous course unless a man is skilM with his 


THE GOVEKNOE AND HIS WIFE. 


85 


weapons ; so I winked to Murden to hold up ; but just at 
that moment the folding doors were thrown open with a 
crash, and in strode a gentleman dressed in the most neglect- 
ful manner, and with the most common-looking vilothes. I 
should have taken him, had I met him in the streets of Mel- 
hourne, for the head of some wholesale grocery store, or a 
grain merchant. He was rather short and fat, with a red 
face, leg-of-mutton whiskers and mustache, both about as 
red as they could be and go unpainted ; and this man was % 
lord and the governor-general of the province. I knew this 
by workings of Murden’s back, for it went up and down 
like that of a cat when in the presence of a strange dog, and 
he hopped and skipped about like a ballet dancer. 

0, my lord,” cried the wife, “ I am so glad that you 
have come ! We have here one of the most devoted sup- 
porters of your government. He has a most appreciating 
regard for you and the measures which you have introduced.” 

“ Egad ! I’m glad of that, for I meet but few men who 
are of the same opinion,” cried his lordship, with a jolly 
laugh that made his fat stomach shake like a jelly. 

“ The fact of it is,” continued his lordship, wiping his 
eye glasses, and then taking a cool survey of our party, “ tfie 
opposition persist in calling me a blockhead, and a man that 
loes not know the interests of the country. Now I can eat 
a good dinner and listen to long, boring addresses ; and if 
those things are not of use to the colony, then I draw my 
salary in vain.” 

By the way, my dear,” said his lordship, after he had 
laughed enough to satisfy a reasonable man, “ I hope that 1 
do not interrupt you in your audience. I don’t know the 
basiness which calls the gentlemen here, and I do not 
recognize but one of them. This is Mr. Murden, I think.” 
Mr. Murden ducked his head and skipped around like a 
monkey on hot pavements. 

“ Yes, your lordship,” he said, and smiled in the most 
affable manner. 

“ At one time police commissioner ? ” and his lordshif 
:iice moie raised his glass and looked at us. 


€6 


THE BUSHBANGEBS. 


“ Yes, your lordship.” 

“ And you waot to go back to the force?” 

“ Yes, your lordship.” 

“ And you expect that her ladyship will use her influence 
in your behalf ? ” 

“ Perhaps she may be induced to,” was the evasive reply; 
for Murden began to lose his character of worshipper of 
rank, and assume that which was more natural to him, — an 
independent detective, afraid of neither man nor devil. 

“ What do you mean by perhaps ? ” asked his lordship, 
abruptly. 

“ I mean that if I should serve her ladyship most faith- 
fully, that I have nothing to ask her for, although if I was 
restored to the police, I should feel grateful to the one who 
a^* 3 omplished so desirable a result.” 

“ 0, but I can do nothing for you,” cried her ladyship. 
“ I supposed that you desired an audience for some other 
purpose.” 

“ The fact of it is,” said his lordship, with a good-natured, 
lazy yawn, “ the office which you held is kept open to reward 
the man who is smart enough to recover her ladyship’s 
diamonds. You know of the loss, I suppose ? ” 

“ 0, if I could only find them ! ” and her ladyship wrung 
her hands and looked her distress. 

“ Well, you never will,” was the consoling reply of the 
huoband. “ Your diamonds are out of the coimtry long 
before this. Egad ! I have a notion to ask Parliament to 
give me a donation to compensate me for the loss. Thun- 
der I it makes me feel like a poor man every time I think of 
the matter.” 

Then Murden looked sublime as he straightened up, smiled, 
put his hand in his breast, pulled out the casket, and exposed 
it to the eyes of the lady. She saw it, and flushed scarlet, 
so great was her surprise and fear, and then rushed towarda 
my friend in a most unaristocratic manner, exclaiming, “ 0, 
hir. Murden, don’t deceive me, but tell me, have you found 
my jewels ?” 

“ Egad I but it’s the case ai all events,” cried his lordship. 


A STEONG PULL POE A COMmSSIOW. 


87 


With a polite bow Murden placed the casket in her hand. 

“ Your ladyship will find the jewels aU safe. I have com- 
pared them with the list as advertised, and there are none 
missing. I give you joy at recovering them.” 

He turned and left the room, Hez following him. Murden 
had winked to me to remain, and I did so, the governor and 
his wifs being too much absorbed in examining the lost treas- 
ure to pay the least attention to us. I heard their ex- 
clamations of pleasure, surprise, and admiration ; and after 
they had got over the first burst of astonishment the aris- 
tocratic couple turned towards me. 

“ Why, Mr. Murden has left the room,” cried her lady- 
ship. “ I am sorry that he has gone. I want to thank him 
for what he has done.” 

** Egad I I should think a man would want more than 
thanks for returning a box of jewels like that. There’s a 
thousand pounds reward offered, and it must come out of 
your pocket-money ; I can’t afford to pay it.” 

“ I hope that you will not offend Mr. Murden,” I said, 
“ by offering to reward him for what he has done. To be 
sure, he encountered great peril in his endeavors to recover 
the jewels ; but I assure you that no mercenary motives ac- 
tuated him to undertake the task. It was simply a desire to 
show the police force what one man, of a comprehensive 
mind, could accomplish after others had failed.” 

“ Egad ! it ain’t every man who would refuse a thousand 
pounds. I should have hard work to do it myself.” 

“ I have no doubt that you can inform us respecting the 
manner in which my jewels were recovered,” her ladyship 
said, with a sweet smile, her white fingers still at work 
fingering the diamonds and emeralds. 

I related in a brief manner some of the particulars of the 
case, showing up Murden in the most prominent manner. 

“You give yourself and countryman no praise in recover- 
ing the jewels,” she said. “ Are all Americans as modest ? ” 

“ I speak sincerely when I say that unless Mr. Murden 
bad joined in the search, your jewels would never have beea 
recovered,” I replied, evading the question. 


7 


THE BUSHRAUGERS. 


8S 

And your reward/’ said her ladyship, with a sweet smile, 
• for the part you have performed is — ” 

“ Your ladyship’s gratitude.” 

“ You have that, most assuredly.” 

“ Egad ! I should think so ; it’s a cheap way of settling a 
debt,” cried his lordship, with a jolly laugh, and a shake of 
his fat stomach that looked dangerous for his buttons. 

“ I am sure that you have some favor to ask of me ? ” the 
lady said, with an encouraging smile. “ If not for yourself 
can t you think of some friend who needs the government 
house patronage ? ” 

“ If he don’t belong to the opposition I might do some^ 
thing for him,” muttered the governor. 

** I have a friend, as your ladyship surmises,” I replied, 
** and that friena is quite dear to me. We have together 
encountered many dangers, and would seek more under cer- 
tain circumstances.” 

“ You speak of Mr. Murden,” she said, with a smile. 

“ I do.” 

“ But you know, egad ! ” remarked his lordship, “ that he 
is accused of taking money from prisoners. That’s a seri- 
ous offence.” 

“ But never proved,” I replied. 

“ But one of the men supported the assertion,” continued 
his lordship. “ Egad I the evidence was said to be com- 
plete.” 

“ The officer had been reprimanded for cowardice in the 
presence of an enemy. For that he vowed revenge. He 
accomplished his designs, and remains in the department, 
while an able man was compelled to leave it.” 

“ 1 ou see, my lord, that the gentleman has an answer for 
©very objection that you can urge.” 

“ Just like the d — d opposition,” muttered the governor. 

“ I need not remind you that a few minutes since you de- 
clared that the office would be bestowed upon the man who 
was so fortunate as to find her ladyship’s diamonds.” Al 
this the lady laughed. 


A STKONQ PULL FOR A COMMISSION. 8S 

“ You know you made such a statement, my lord, and 1 
Ihink that you should adhere to your word.” 

“But I shall have trouble, and you know I don t like 
trouble.” 

At these words I bowed and turned towards the door. 
Both the governor and his wife looked surprised. 

“ You are not intending to leave us ? ” his lordship asked. 

“ I do intend to, for it is too much trouble for me to re- 
main. I think that after a person has performed so impor- 
tant a service as Mr. Murden, that he should be entitled to a 
little consideration. But, as you do not seem to think so, I 
will take my leave.” 

“ But look here. Egad ! a man hasn’t a chance to speak 
to you, you fly off so. Just like the opposition.” 

Her ladyship gave me a glance of approval, as though 1 
had taken the right course. 

“ Egad ! well. I’ll think of the whole matter, and let you 
know in a day or two.” 

“ It will then be too late. I shall not be in the city, per- 
haps.” 

“ Give me a day to consult with my cabinet.” 

I shook my head and moved towards the door. The gov- 
ernor looked distressed. 

“ What will satisfy you ? ” he asked. 

“ Let me leave the house with the appointment in my 
pocket.” 

“Egad! that’s sudden. What shall I do?” and he 
looked towards his wife. 

“ The gentleman’s demands are reasonable. I should 
comply with them,” the lady said. 

Only for a moment did he hesitate ; and then he cried, 
“Wait here one moment. My dear, you will en^.ertam 
him.” 


THE BUSHRAKttEBS. 




CHAPTER XI. 

THE BED LION. MISS JENNY AND HER TEMPER. — HER 

WARNINGS. ARRIVAL OF THE PET. 

As soon as his lordship had left the apartment, a radiant 
smile was displayed on the face of his wife, as though she 
was much pleased at what had occurred. 

“ I am glad you assumed the position that you did,” she 
said, “ for I am deeply indebted to you and Mr. Murden.” 

I bowed, for it is cot often that the blood of the How- 
ards makes a confidant of a plebeian, and her conversing in 
such an unrestrained manner showed that she could confide 
in me. 

“ On Thursday evening,” continued the lady, “ the regu- 
lar government-house levee takes place, and I should be 
pleased to see you here. You will meet some pleasant peo- 
ple, and some who may be of assistance to you during your 
residence in the country. If your wife is with you — ” 

I interrupted her by a smile. 

“ 0, I see. You have not yet committed yourself by 
taking a wife.” 

But before her ladyship could ask more questions, the 
governor came in. 

“ Egad ! ” cried his lordship, with a rueful smile, “ I 
haven’t been so driven since the confounded opposition 
made me change my cabinet. Here is Mr. Murden’s ap- 
pointment ; and tell him that I expect a good account of his 
doings. Don’t forget to come to the levee. My wife will 
send you a card. Murden had better come also. It will 
look well.” 

“ I have an American friend with me,” I suggested. 

“We will send him a card, never fear ; and now good by.” 

I saw the carriage which brought us to the place wait- 
ing near the gate, with Murden’s head and Hez’s head out 
of the windows, watching my coming. 


THE BED LIOW. 


91 


Have you succeeded ? ” asked Murden. 

I iield the paper aloft, and shook it as an answer. 

** Good God ! I believe you have accomplished youi 
»bject,” Murden cried. 

“ I have,” was my answer ; “ and here is the commission, 
signed and sealed.” 

My friend seized it, opened it, and read its contents. 
Then I saw a tear steal to his eye, and he extended his 
hand, and pressed mine with the grasp of a giant. 

“ I am indebted to you for all this,” he said, “ and if I 
live I will repay the obligation.” 

“ Your own merit has contributed to the result,” I re- 
marked, in a quiet tone. “ Without that, all pleadings 
would have been in vain.” 

“Well, I am thankful that I am restored. It is an 
unexpected result.” 

While he was laying out his plans for the future, we 
arrived home ; and the instant we entered the house, Tom, 
the convict servant, was summoned. The fellow had been 
transported for attempting to burn up his grandmother, who 
had made a will in his favor, and then persistently refused 
to die. Tom entered the room, as though he expected to 
be commended for some of his good deeds. He had 
acquired a passion for burning people. Once he had 
seated the cook on a red-hot stove, because the latter did 
not please him ; and once he had attempted to set fire to 
the chambermaid’s clothes. 

“ Well, Tom,” cried Murden, when he saw his servant 
waiting for commands, “ have you burned any one to-day ? 

“ No, sir.” 

“ Do you feel an inclination that way ? ” 

“ I did this morning, sir,” answered the candidate, with 
great frankness. 

“ Ah ! how was that ? ” 

“ The cook, sir, burned the curry, and I wanted to bum 
him.” 

“ Restrain your passion, my friend,” cried the commis- 
lioner, with the utmost coolness. “ It won’t do to indulge 


92 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


70UI appetite too often. I can afford one victim a year^ 
but more than that makes the luxury too expensive. But I 
have news for you. I have been restored to my old position 
I am once more commissioner, and wish to celebrate the 
return to office. Furnish me, at six o’clock, with such a 
dinner as I shall feel proud of ; and if you fail, I’ll see what 
I can do in the burning line.” 

Tom left the room to prepare the dinner ; and then Mur- 
den announced his intention of visiting a few friends, and 
inviting them to the feast. 

“ In the mean time, my boy,” said my friend, “ you can 
amuse yourself the best way that you can. I shall be home 
in the course of two hours.” 

He left the house-, and Hez retired to take a nap. I had 
nothing to do ; so it, is not to be wondered at that I com- 
menced thinking of Jenny, the bar-maid. At last I formed 
a resolution. I would go to her. I would look at her 
eweet face once more, and then forget it. I again as- 
cumed the garb of a sailor, put a revolver in my pocket, 
and left the house. I had no trouble in finding the street ; 
yet when I entered it and neared the saloon, my heart began 
to fail me, and I was almost inclined to turn back, and let 
Jenny and her sweet face go ; but beauty conquered, and at 
last I entered the porter-house and took a seat. Then, for 
the first time, I glanced towards the bar, and saw the girl I 
so much desired to see, with her large blue eyes scanning 
my face, as though she was* trying to recollect where she 
bad seen it. I felt the blood rush to my face, and for a 
moment I lowered my eyes ; when I raised them, she was 
no longer regarding me, and appeared to be entirely un- 
aware of my presence. I would have given much to have 
read her thoughts, and known that she had some slight 
regard for me. But I would not acknowledge that I was in 
love. 

As the girl did not appear to pay the least attention to 
me, her eyes being fastened on a book, I knocked on thi 
table, and when she looked towards me I said, “ A pint of 
beer and a cigar, if you please.” 


MISS JENNY AND HEB TEMPSB. 


93 


As she placed the articles on the table, she said “Ton 
are here again. Did I not warn you last night ? ” 

“ You certainly did ; but I would risk much to catch a 
light of so fresh and fair an English face as you possess.” 

A proud curl of her lip was the response to the compli- 
ment ; but her words were coarse as she replied, “ None of 
your chaff, for I don’t want it. You did me a service last 
night, and I attempted to repay it. I tell you to leave th? 
city, for it is no place for you. If you do not, you will sea 
trouble. Even now a policeman is spotting you from the 
other side of the street. Will you go ? ” 

“ No, I will stay.” 

“ What fools you men are ! ” was her next complimentary 
remark. “ You never will take advice, you never will see 
folly in the course which you pursue, and like a crazy bull 
you plunge headlong upon destruction, and then blame us 
women as the cause of it. I have no patience with you.” 

“ And yet patience is a virtue, and I am told that you 
possess both patience and virtue.” 

“ What’s that to you ? ” she asked, with a flash of her blue 
eye that looked threatening. 

I did not answer. I sipped my beer in silence, and ad- 
mired the play of her handsome, regular features. 

“ You come here,” Jenny continued, in an indignant tone, 
“ after I have warned you to avoid this place. You take no 
notice of my advice, as though there were not half a dozen 
men within the sound of my voice who would sell you to the 
traps for a few shillin’s. Take your plunder and bad com- 
pany, and leave the city, or it will be the worse for you.” 

“ As soon as I can obtain a ship,” I commenced ; but she 
interrupted me with an indignant gesture. 

“ Don’t talk such blasted nonsense to me,” she said. 
‘ You a sailor ! Look at your hands ; they are as white as 
mine.” 

“ Let me see,” I said, as though desirous of confirmation, 
and I laid one hand upon her own ; but she threw it off 
in a scornful manner, and looked as though I meant te 
insult her. 


4 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 




Hands off!” she cried angrily. “ I have struck many 
a man for a less insult.” 

And why don’t you strike me for what I have done ? ” 

“ Because your impudence protects you. What were yon 
■cnt here for ? ” 

“ To make love to you, I suppose.” 

She frowned and pouted her red lips. 

“ Keep your love to yourself ; I want none of it. Answer 
sae at once. What were you transported for ? ” 

I laughed and drank my beer. 

“ Are you a ticket- of-leave man ? Have you served your 
time ? or are you an escaped convict ? ” 

“ An admirable classification,” I cried. “ Can’t you add 
one more, and think me a honest man ? ” 

“ No,” was the prompt answer. 

“ Why not ? ” 

“ Because honest men, who wear diamonds on their fin- 
gers and trim their nails with care, don’t visit the Bed Lion.” 
“ Not if they are in love ? ” 

“ Men like you don’t love girls like me, so try some 
other yarn.” 

I lighted a fresh cigar, and surrounded my face with a 
cloud of smoke. I did it to prevent the young woman from 
scanning my features as closely as she had done. I was 
successful in my object, for she dropped her eyes and asked, 
“ Can’t you teU me what lay you are on, and what you in- 
tend to do in Melbourne ? ” 

“ Most of my time will be spent in visiting the Red Lion 
and looking at you.” 

“ Are you in earnest ? ” 

^‘Yes.” 

‘‘ Then you are a fool, and will find every bone in your 
bodv broken after your money is gone. Bo you under- 
stand ? ” 

‘No.” 

I was determined not to, for I read in her clear blue eyes 
interest in my fate which the proud girl would fain have 
^^c^.ed. 





I 


k 


■ » ■ 






#- 


1 



n t 


JENinr’S WABNINGS.- ARRIVAL OF THE PET. 


95 


“You make bo attempt to understand me,” she cried, in 
a passionate manner. “ You are dull, or pretend to be. I 
have told you that I would do you a service in return for the 
one which you did me last night. You are young and brave. 
Such being the case, why don’t you seek some honorable 
employment, and lead an honest life ? ” 

I appeared to think most seriously of her words. 

“How much money have you?” she asked, in a blunt 
manner. 

“ Ten pounds or so,” I answered. 

“ Then save it ; for it will not last a week if my father 
sees it.” 

“ Let me understand you,” I said, in a determined tone. 
“ Your amiable and gentle-hearted parent is in the habit 
of encouraging the visits of young men ; he allows them tc 
become infatuated with your beauty, but they can only ga!:.3 
at the shadow, and not hope for the substance. When they 
hint at that, if their money is nearly gone, they are kicked 
into the street, or their bones are broken by a blow of the 
Pet’s huge fist. Am I right ? ” 

She nodded her head in a slight manner, and said, “You 
are no fool.” 

“ Thank you. The Pet shall find that I am not. Now, I 
have taken care of myself for many years. Don’t think that 
your father can deceive me, or that I am blind to your beauty 
or your defects. I know them, and, knowing them, I enter 
the field as an admirer.” 

“ You lie ! ” she cried, in a passionate tone ; and she left 
me for her place behind the bar ; and just at that moment 
the Pet entered the saloon from the door at the back part ef 
the room. 


THB BUBHBANGEB^. 




CHAPTER Xn. 

THE RED LION. DESPERATE STRUeGLE. 

I RATHER think that even my impudence was dashed by 
the Pet’s appearance ; for I buried my face in the pot of 
ale, and hoped that he would pass on to the street ; but he 
did not, for he saw that a customer was present, and that 
encouraged him to look and see who it was ; and the in- 
stant his gray eyes fell on me, he uttered a grunt, and 
exclaimed, — 

“ Well, I smile, if you ain’t here.” 

“ This is as good a place as another,” I replied, assuming 
all the coolness that I could command. “ Give me another 
pot of ale, and let it be better than the last.” 

The Pet looked at me in the same manner that he would 
have looked at an opponent in the prize-ring. I returned 
the look as well as I was able. 

“ Look a-here, you young cove,” the Pet cried, in a sullen 
tone ; “ what in creation do you mean by cornin’ round here 
arter the way you treated me last night ? ” 

“ This is a public saloon, and I have a right to sit here as 
long as I pay my biUs,” I answered, in a slow, deliberate 
tone. 

The Pet pricked up his ears at the word “ pay.” 

“ Of course, lad, you has the right to eat, drink, and be 
merry here as long as you has the spondulics ; but, for all 
that, you served me a mean trick last night. It’s your skull 
I should crush for it.” 

“ Bah ! Talk such nonsense to the marines. My head ia 
safe enough. I have a pair of arms that can look after it.” 

Now I was uttering words which were intended for effect. 
This I knew ; but the giant was not so well informed. He 
thought that I must possess an immense amount of science to 
talk so strongly ; and thinking as he did, he cooled down, 
and assumed a friendly tone. 


THE BED LIOH. 


97 


“ (Jive tlie lad a pot of the best, Jenny, my lass ; and if 
he wants to stand a treat. I’ll drink with him.” 

I saw Jenny’s eyes raised for .a moment, as though 
she would warn me against such a course; butsometlung 
prompted me to be obstinate just at that moment; so 1 
answered, — 

“ Come on, old fellow. You shall drink with me until we 
are fuU, and unable to come to time. A fiill quart of ale foi 
the Pet.” \ 

“ And bring it in the spare parlor, lass,” cried Sykes. “ I 
want to speak with you in private.” 

I slapped the Pet on his broad back, and followed him te 
his private room. 

We took our seats facing each other, and then MiSs Jenny 
brought in the beer, and without a word or a look for me, 
left the room. 

“ Come,” cried the giant, after he had fastened the door 
which led into the saloon, ** let’s be jolly and sociable. Pm 
a man what likes my hours of freedom from all care, when 
I can mix with my customers, and call myself one of ’em. 
Your good ’ealth, sir. Here’s to our better acquaintance 
and mutual advantage. K you wants advice, come to the 
Pet ; for, although I say it, Sam Sykes is not the man to 
steer wild in behalf of a friend. When you is in trouble, 
come to me, and I’ll treat yer jist like a father. If yor caa’fc 
come, jist send us word, and I’ll come to yer, and go bail 
for yer.” And then, as though he had said too much, he 
added, “ Of course, I mean that PU get bail for yer, if yer 
has anything to put down as security. You wouldn’t ax a 
man to do it without ; now, would yer ? ” 

I nodded a negative, and the Pet continued : “ I know a 
great many secrets, and Pm not the man to betray ’em. Not 
one has I peached ; and the traps might tear me into ten 
thousand inch pieces, and I wouldn’t blab. That’s mo. Pm 
a safe adviser for young men, Pvo seen so much of the world. 
You is from Sydney ? ” 

He asked the question suddenly, as though to surprise me 
into a confession ; but I was not to be t^en that way by 


98 


THB BUSHBANGSBtf!. 


luch a thick-headed clown ; so I answered, “ Do I look like 
a Sydney man ? ” 

“ Then you is from Ballarat, is you?” and the giant 
struck his fist upon the table, and looked a little fierce. 

“ You think so ?” I asked, and smiled. 

“ Where abouts did you come from, then ? ” 

The Pet glared at me in an angry manner, and didn’t seem 
bo like me as well as he did a few minutes before the conver- 
sation occurred. 

“ There is one subject I can talk about with you,” I said, 
at last. 

“Well, let’s hear it,” growled the Pet, who stiH thought 
me a burglar in the disguise of a sailor. 

“ Your daughter.” 

The Pet glanced at me in a hasty manner, a« though 
doubtful whether to be angry or pleased ; but, after a mo- 
ment’s thought, he concluded that it would be much better 
to look satisfied. 

“ Well, what of the lass ?” he asked. 

“ She is very beautiful.” 

“ So many men have said before you.” 

“ Was the mother as handsome as Miss Jenny ? ” 

To my surprise, the Pet turned towards me in a fierce 
manner, and raised his ponderous fist in a threatening 
attitude. 

“ Hang you, what do you mean ? ” he cried, in a fierce 
tone. “ WTiat right has you to talk about the mother of the 
Uss?” 

“ Keep cool, my strong-armed friend,” I said, in a quiet 
tone. “No offence was intended. I but asked out of 
curiosity.” 

“ Well, don’t you show too much of it round here, ’cos it 
won’t pay ; now I warn you.” 

“Very well,” I said, rising, “I will visit some other 
saloon, and spend my money where I can be treated in a 
more civil manner.” 

TliA Pet suddenly changed his course, and became quite 
bumble. 


THE BED LIOH. 


d9 

“ Don’t yon go, lad,” he said. “ You 11 find this the best 
house in town, and Tm one of the most good-natured feller? 
in Melbourne. Come, take a seat, and we’ll have more 
beer.” 

I pretended to be appeased by this argument, and once 
more sat down ; and as I did so, the Pet laid his huge hand 
on my shoulder, and said, “ Then you likes the looks of my 
little lass, do you ? ” 

“ She is a clipper,” I replied, in nautical language, “ and 
the handsomest one that I ever saw.” 

“ And you has taken a fancy to her, has you, lad ? ” 

“ She is very beautiful,” I replied, in an evasive tone. 

The Pet looked reflective for a few moments. “ You 
know, lad,” — and he spoke in a slow, deliberate tone, — 
“ that the cove what raises his eyes to the lass must pos- 
?3css the dosh to take care of her. Come to me with five 
thousand pounds, and then we’ll talk the matter over. 
“ Five thousand pounds is a big sum, lad, but ye can make 
it if ye is lucky and smart. There is the gold mines, and 
If ye don’t like them, there’s other mines what pays. Dia- 
mond mines pays well sometimes ; ” and as the old chap 
uttered the words, he stared full into my face, and winked 
with both of his gray eyes, in a manner calculated to lead 
cne to suspect that he knew something of importance. 

“ Ah ! ” I replied, “ do you know where there is a diamond 
mine. It must be valuable.” 

“ Get out with you,” he cried, and poked his finger in my 
ribs. “ You is the lad for the diamonds. Who knows but 
you and the lass might jine if the swag was disposed of in 
4 quiet way ? Eh, lad, what do you think of that ? ” 

I don’t know what you are talking about,” I replied. 

You must speak plainer.’* 

“ Why, bang your eyes, does you pretend to say that you 
don’t know what has become of the diamonds Doland and 
Thrasher prigged from the government house ? Come, own 
op, ’cos you has nothin’ to fear from me.' 

I pretended to be surprised, and the Pet grew enraged ai 
what he considered my obstinacy. 


too 


THB BUSHBANGEBS. 


“ I knows iJl about it, and I knows all about you,” tbf 
Pet continued, dashing his fist upon the table. I glanced 
towards the door. 

“ You don’t leave this room till I is ready to let you go,” 
the Pet cried. “ Do you think PU stand any of your non- 
sense ? I is goin’ to know what you done with them ’ere 
diamonds. I gives you fair warnin’. Don’t you go for to 
get me mad. Now, then, tell me what you and your cronies 
done with the jewels ?” 

“ Why do you think I know of the jewels ? ” 

“ 0, thunder and lightnin’ ! don’t bother me with such 
talk. Answer me at once, or I’ll crack your bones as though 
they were egg-shells.” 

Perhaps I looked a little incredulous, for the man once 
more rapped the table, and uttered a volley of oaths. 

“ No Sydney thief can deceive me,” he cried. “ Pm up 
to your tricks, and knows all about ’em. Tell me whai you 
did with the diamonds.” 

“ Do you think it is any of your business where they are ? ” 
I asked, in a quiet tone of impudence, which I repented a 
moment afterwards. 

With an oath and a roar the Pet threw himself upon me. 
So sudden and quick was the movement, that I did not have 
time to avoid the onset. I went down before it like a straw 
before the blast of a hurricane. Of course I struggled, for 
h was but natural that I should, but I could do nothing ef- 
fectual. The Pet held me down with a grasp that could net 
broken ; and even while he did so, the wretch growled out 
words of denunciation and reproach. 

“ You chaff me, wiU you ? ” and here the rascal gave me % 
ihake that made my teeth chatter. “You don’t know me 
yet, I guess. Hang your impudence, what do you mean ? ” 
“ You scoundrel,” I managed to gasp, “ let me up, or the 
worse for you.” 

But instead of complying with my demands, the Pet gave 
me another shake, and hissed out, “ Tell me of the diamonds 
I’ll strangle you. Where are they, and who has them ? ” 
I don’t know whether the giant suspected my intention of 


THE DESPERATE STRUGGLE. 


101 


letting a hole through his body or not, but this I do know ; 
he held my arms so tight thai^ I could not accomplish my ob- 
ject ; so there was only one course to pursue, and that was to 
remain quiet, and submit to the pressure, or else utter a few 
startling yells, and see if I could not attract attention and a 
rescue. 

While I was thinking of these things the Pet released my 
throat for the purpose of asking a question. It was the one 
that he was most interested in. 

“ Where’s them diamonds ? ” he demanded. 

Instead of replying, I uttered a shrill yell for help, and I 
had just time to do so, when the Pet’s hands were at work 
in a fierce manner about my throat. 

“ Yon would, would you, hang you ! ” cried the Pet ; and 
he raised my head and dashed it to the floor, causing me to 
see more stars than agreeable at that time of the day ; but 
such treatment only made me more determined, and with a 
sudden wrench I freed one of my hands, and struck the huge 
bully full in the face ; and so well directed was the blow that 
a few drops of blood tricked down his cheek from the di- 
rection of the right eye. 

For a moment the Pet was surprised at the suddenness 
of the attack. Still he held me with a giant’s strength, and 
hissed out, “ You can use yer mawlers, can yer, little ban- 
tam ? Well, so can I ; and let’s see how you likes ’em.” 

He drew back his huge fist, like a twelve-pound shot, and 
aimed a blow at my face ; but I dodged just in time, and 
the bunch of bones landed on the hard-wood floor with a 
crash that threatened damage to the boards or the man’s 
hand, whichever were the strongest. 

“ 0,” roared the brute ; and up went his fist to his 
mouth, and he licked the blood from the barked skin, like 
the beast that he was. 

“ 0, hang yer ! that’s yer game, is it? Yer ^think that 
yer has done somethin’ smart, don’t yer ? ” 

“ Now or never,” I thought ; and with a mighty effort I 
attempted to turn the man, and at the same time I utter sd 
a second shrill yell for help. 


102 


THC BUSHBANGEKS. 


“ Blast yer for a screeching cove 1 ” cried the Pet, in a 
fierce tone ; and once more his hand clutched my windpipe 

But there was a gentle rap at the door, and the Pet 
relaxed his hold a little to listen. 

“0, dad,” cried Jenny, “do stop your fighting, and let 
the poor young man out. If you don’t FU give an alarm.” 

“Away with you, girl,” returned the father, fiercely. 
“ Leave me to settle the matter.” 

“ I won’t,” returned the independent girl. “ Let him alone, 
or the traps will be here and jerk you off. Be warned in time.” 

“ If I come out there to yer,” said the Pet in a threat- 
ening tone, “ ye’ll remember me for a while.” 

“ The diamonds, lad. Tell me of the diamonds, and FU 
let you up,” he hissed. 

I did not reply, but made a desperate struggle, and was 
unsuccessful. I felt that my tongue was protruding from my 
mouth, that my eyes were starting from their sockets, that 
my breath was nearly gone, and that in a few seconds I 
should be unconscious ; but just as I was losing all sense and 
feeling I . heard a terrible crash, the door flew open, and in 
rushed half a dozen men. I heard a savage blow struck, 
and was instantly relieved of the pressure of the giant’s 
body ; and then I lost all consciousness. 


CHAPTER Xm. 

THE BBSOITB. •— THE ACCUSATION OF MISS JENNY. — THB 
DESPATCH. 

, I KNEW that I was relieved of the weight of the giant in a 
sudden manner ; but that was all that I did know until I 
regained my senses, and the instant that I opened my eyes 
I heard a familiar voice exclaim, — 

“ He’s all right now, gol darn it. I was afeard that the 
big one had killed him. If he had, Fd taken the law in my 
bauds, and cut the brute into inch pieces.” 





“Just as I was losing all sense and feeling, I heard a terrible crash, and ia 
rushed half a dozen men.”— Pago 102. 


*«• 


I 


• 






> 








• ♦ 




\ 


N 


s 





THE EESCUB. 


103 

“ 1 h that you, Hez ? ” I asked, for I found that I was 
lying in some one’s arms. 

“ Wal, J shouldn’t wonder if it was. How do you feel 
now ? Are you all right ? Does your wind work well ? 
Here, take a drop of this ’ere. It will do you a powerful 
sight of good.” And he held a glass containing some brandy 
to my lips. 

“ We wam’t none too soon for you,” said Hez, when he 
saw that I was capable of standing and moving without 
assistance. “ That big one was jist squeezing the life out 
of you. What did you come here for, at any rate ? ” 

I did not answer, and there was no occasion for me to ; 
for at this moment Murden entered the room in all the pride 
of blue coat and brass buttons and insignia of rank. His 
first look was towards the humbled Pet, and the instant 
the giant man noticed his glance, he said, — 

“ I’m glad to see you, Mr. Commissioner. Pve news for 
you, sir — important news. You’ll thank me when you hear it.” 

I was about to speak, but Murden made me a rapid sign 
to remain quiet and listen. 

“ Speak your mind. What have you got to say ? ” 

“ You remember, Mr. Commissioner, that some diamonds 
were nabbed at the government house, a few weeks ago ? ” 

“ Yes ; what of them ? ” 

“ I know who has ’em.” 

“You do?” 

“ Yes, sir. I was trying to nab the man when you comes 
in. I will appear agin him if you will let me up.” 

“ Do you mean to say that this man ” — and he pointed to 
me — “ is the one who stole the diamonds ? ” 

“Yes, sir. Tve been on his track for a week. He’s a 
Sydney thief. I know him well. He’s told me all his plans. 
There’s more of ’em here.” 

“ So you thought that you would make a capture for the 
benefit of the police.” 

“ Yes, sir. I allers played in their hands, and I allers will.” 

DIurden made a sign, and some officers raised the Pet and 
led him off to jail, to the intense consternation of the Mud 


104 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


"•.janers, wHo didn’t understand it, and wondered wto had 
got hold of the police bellows. 

I passed into the saloon, and saw Jenny behind the bar, 
attempting to preserve her coolness and calmness ; but the 
effort was not successful, and when she saw me her tears 
would flow in spite of her efforts to prevent them. 

“ You would not take notice of my warning,” she said, in 
a bitter tone, “ and now you see the result. You nearly 
lost your life ; you are in the hands of the police, and my 
father is a prisoner for an assault on you. What more 
would you have ? ” 

“And yet I made all this venture for your sake,” I 
remarked. 

“ Don’t talk such nonsense. Fm not to be gassed in that 
way. Go to your prison and leave me. Let me never see 
you again.” 

While we were speaking Murden came towards us. “ Ar- 
rest that woman as an accomplice,” he said, and pointed to 
Jenny. 

The young girl dried her tears in an instant, and held out 
her hands. 

“ Put the irons on me if you will,” she said ; “ I am not 
afeard of a prison ; I am innocent, and can suffer.” 

“ And suffer you shall. You knew of the attempt on this 
man’s life ; ” and Murden pointed to me. 

“ I did, and tried to prevent it.” 

“ It’s false ! ” roared Murden, who cared no more for the 
girl’s beauty than he did for her feelings. 

“ It’s true,” I said, in a calm tone. “ The young lady 
did warn me of the danger that I incurred in remaining 
here ; but I was heedless of her advice, and the consequences 
be upon my own head.” 

“ WeU, she must be made an example of, at any rate,” 
replied Murden, who wanted to signalize his reappointment 
to power, and was loath to yield an inch. 

The men looked to the commissioner for instructions ; and 
that gentleman bit his lips, and was about to utter a harsh 
fommand, when I signalized for a moment’s conversation. 


THE ACCUSATION OF MISS JENNY. 


104 


“ What is it ? ” he asked, impatiently. “ It’s something 
*bcut that woman, I know. Now, let me dispose of her. 
I want to get her out of the way. You’re in love with her^ 
don’t deny it. I discovered it last night. She’ll ruin you, 
unless the whole thing is nipped in the bud. Be guided by 
me, will you ? ” 

“ No, I won’t, not in this respect,” I replied, very bluntly 
“ I’m not in love with the girl.” (Here Murden smiled iiL 
an incredulous manner.) “ Of course, if you insist upoik 
dragging the girl to the station house, I cannot interfere j 
but, remember, it is against my wish, and you know that — ” 

“Bother! don’t talk in that style,” cried Murden, in 
impatient tone. “ You know that what I am doing, and 
what I have done, is for the best. She is a dangerous girl. 
She has wrecked many a man through that face of hers.” 

“ You think that my judgment is good on some points^ 
don’t you ? ” I asked. 

“ Yes ; better than mine.” 

“ Then believe me when I state that the girl is not as bad 
feg you think.” 

“ And you want her released ? ” 

“ Yes, most assuredly.” 

Murden turned towards his men, and held up his hand. 

“ Release that girl ; she is no longer a prisoner.” 

The officers fell back, and left J enny behind the bar. She 
raised her eyes for a moment to my face, and gave me one 
look ; but it was such a contemptuous glance, that I did not 
desire a repetition of it. I did not understand it. What 
could she mean ? Was she not grateful for what I had 
done ? There was a mistake somewhere. I moved towards 
Jenny for the purpose of exchanging a word with her. She 
knew that I was standing by her side, and yet she would not 
tam her well-shaped, haughty head, so that the light of her 
dark'blue eyes should fall upon me. 

“ I thank you,” I said, in a low tone, “ for the interest 
ihat you have taken in me. How shall I reward you for 
what you have done ? ” 

By never speaking with me again,” she said, in a crusty 


100 


THE BUSHBANGEB8. 


tone. “ I know you now, and hate myself for yarning with 
you.” 

Yarning,” I asked ; “ what is that ? ” 

“ Talking with you ; ” and the young lady made a gesture 
of impatience. 

“ 0 ! ” 

“ 0 ! indeed ; ” and the girl turned upon me like a tiger. 
“ It is well enough for you to ‘ 0,* and look grave and 
pretty ; but I tell you that I despise you, hate you, loathe 
the sight of your face. Now do you understand me ? ” 

“ I do not,” I answered, quite calm and unconcerned ; but 
admiring the girl more and more as she gave me evidence 
of her fierce, proud disposition. 

“ When you wish to play a part you are not so stupid ; ’ 
and the girl looked at me with such a cold expression of 
contempt, that if I had not admired her very much I should 
have wilted under it. 

“ I cannot comprehend your meaning. Tell me in plain 
words what I have been guilty of.” 

For a moment she looked me full in the face without 
speaking. Then she said, in a cold, contemptuous tone, 
“ A spy of the police department need not expect a civil 
answer from me. Look at me.” 

There was no need for such advice. I had been looking 
at her quite intently. She continued : “ You see me here 
behind a bar serving out liquors to all sorts of customers, in 
one of the most detested quarters of Melbourne. It is a 
miserable employment for a young girl ; but, low as my posi- 
tion is, and much as I ^espise it, I would not exchange it for 
yours.” 

I smiled at her vehemence, and that smile exasperated 
her. 

“ Laugh at me if you will ; but a spy is something not te 
be laughed at — he is to be despised, spit upon, detested ! ” 

“ If I pledge you my word that I am not a spy, will you 
relieve me ? ” 

“No.” 

“ If Mr. Murden pledges his word will you believe him ? ” 


THB DESPATCH. 


lo: 


“No.” 

I would have made another attempt to reason witl her if 
she had been like other women ; but, as she was like steel in 
firmness, I turned away, and joined Murden. 

“You make no heading with that woman,” he said. 

“No.” 

“I knew you would not. Other men have tried, and 
failed. But we must go to the station, and prefer charges 
against the Pet. It shall go hard with him for his murdei-' 
ous assault.” 

Jenny, as we were leaving the house, called to the com- 
missioner, and Murden stopped to hear what she had 
to say. It took but a moment. 

“ Now,” said Murden, as we entered the street, “ tell mo 
what mad freak sent you to the Red Lion at this hour of the 
day?” 

“ Curiosity,” I answered. 

“ Which nearly cost you your life,” was the dry rejoinder. 

“ But how did it happen that you arrived at such an op- 
portime moment ? ” 

“ It was owing to the sagacity of your good genius, Hez. 
He saw you put on your disguise, and thought that you in- 
tended to look at Jenny’s face once more ; so, instead of 
taking the nap that he contemplated, he followed you to the 
Red Lion, saw you enter and call for beer, and then he left, 
for he felt that you was soft on the girl. While he was 
wandering around he met me, and told me what had hap- 
pened.” 

“ But one question more. Did Jenny give yon any in- 
formation regarding my condition ? ” 

“ Yes ; she said, ‘ A young man is in the room ; he has 
quarrelled with my father, and I wish you would separate 
them.’ ” 

“ Was she quite cool about it ? ” 

“ Like a cake of ice in July.” 

“ Manifested no concern ? ” 

“ Not the slightest.” 

I sighed, and did not ask another question. 


108 


THIi BUSiOAJiGKSS. 


‘Humph,” growled Murden, “that woman’s eyes have 
burned a hole in your heart, and that is misfortune number 
one, since you lauded.” 

“ And what do you call misfortune number two ? ” 

“ To marry her,” was the blunt rejoinder ; and without 
another word we entered the station house where the Pet 
was confined. 

We found Maurice in charge. He received ns with 
marked pleasure, for he had already heard of Murden’s re- 
^poointment, and was glad of it. We entered our complaint 
against the Pet, and then paid him a visit, for he was con* 
fined in a cell, and very repentant he appeared as we looked 
zt him through the grates of his den. 

“ I hopes, gents, that you didn’t think I was in earnest 
when I put my fingers to that young feller’s throat. It was 
only a little fun. I wanted to know a certain somethin’, and 
took that ’ere means of gettin’ it. I’ll make it all right with 
the young feller, and won’t mind a pound or two if he’ll settle.” 

“ You’re a precious rogue, Sykes,” said Murden. “ I’ve 
known that fact for a long time, and longed for a chance to 
lay hands on you. Escape is not so easy at the present.” 

The Pet uttered a howl of protestations respecting his in- 
nocence, but no notice was taken of them. We returned 
home, and, when we arrived there, found an oflicial-look- 
ing document from the Home Department, in which was 
stated the fact that a gang of bushrangers was on the road 
from Melbourne to Bendego, and Commissioner Murden was 
ordered to take such force as he thought proper, and cap- 
ture or disperse the rascals. 

“ This is marked for immediate service,” Murden said, 
turning to me. 

“ Yes, I suppose so.” 

“ I shall start at daylight to-morrow morning. Will you 
remain here or go with me ? ” 

“ I go with you. We shall not be absent more than a 
week. In the mean time we have nothing else to do.” 

“ Good ! I will make you and Hez aids, and order horses. 
Hoi, will you go ? ” 


THE FIEST HUNT FOB BDSHRAN^iifelES. 


109 


** Count me in,” returned the genius ; and off went Mur- 
den to detail a certain number of men and horses and giyt 
orders for the expedition, and when he returned his guests 
began to arrive. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

THE FIB8T HUNT FOB BUSHBANGEBS. WEBBEB AND HIS 

FAMILY. THE SLEEPING TBAMP. 

No allusion was made during the dinner to the proposed 
expedition. The meal passed off in good shape. The 
wines were excellent, the food cooked to perfection, through 
the instrumentality of Tom, who had threatened to roast the 
head of the kitchen unless care was bestowed on the meat, 
and speeches and toasts as complimentary to the host as 
could be expected ; and at two o’clock the company left the 
house, and those who remained in peace and quietness re- 
tired to bed for the purpose of obtaining a little sleep. 

At daylight we were aroused by Tom. We dressed for a 
long and tiresome journey. Our costume was peculiarly 
fitted for the bush and horseback riding. We wore leggings 
of buckskin, which reached to the knee. They were light, 
yet strong enough to resist the thorns and brambles, and 
were also useful guards against the sudden attack of snakes, 
which must always be guarded against when travelling in the 
bush. We wore loose-fitting blouses of stout cloth, of a 
subdued color. Each blouse contained numerous pockets, 
which I had found extremely useful during my first visit. 
We had broad felt hats, and around our waists were stout 
leather belts, and attached to these were revolvers and 
bowie-knives, while we intended to strap to our backs two 
light but powerful repeating-rifles. 

All ready for our journey, and with our rifles in our hands, 
we entered the dining-room only to find Murden radiant with 
gilt buttons and spurs. 


no 


THE BUSHEAHGEES. 


“ Do you wear your uniform ? ” I asked, astonished at hii 
want of prudence. 

“ Certainly. Why should I not ? ” 

“ I supposed that common sense would tell you that if a 
mark is to be fired at, a lot of gilt buttons enables a man te 
obtain a good aim.” 

“ Just as you say,” returned the commissioner. “ Tom, 
^ay out my rough-and-tumble suit. I think that I shall feel 
better in it.” 

After breakfast, Murden retired for a moment, and came 
back shorn of his finery. 

“ Tom goes with us,” said Murden, as we rose from the 
table ; and that fire-loving young man grinned at the thought 
of displaying his talent in such a wide field as that which we 
were about to enter upon. 

We found four perfect bay horses at the door, as good as 
the police force could muster, for they had been selected by 
Murden with special reference to speed and endurance. We 
each selected one, and mounting, galloped through the 
street. 

“ Strike for Webber’s,” cried Murden, when he saw that I 
was about to turn in the direction of the station house. 

Webber’s was a sort of stopping house, ten miles from 
the city. 

“ Wkere are the men ? ” I asked, as we turned a comer 
and dashed towards the country. 

“ At Webber’s. I didn’t intend that it should be known 
all over town that a troop of mounted men had gone in pur- 
suit of bushrangers. If you are unsuccessful in your search, 
men swear at you ; if you are successful, the fact will soon 
be known, and you gain all the credit that you deserve.” 

“ So you sent them out last night ? ” 

“ Yes, they left the city one by one, so as to attract no 
attention. We shall find twelve good men at Webber’s.” 

By this time we had reached the suburbs of the city, 
where a few half-naked natives were hovering over a smoky 
fire, — for the morning was cool, — endeavoring to warm a lit 
tie offal or some refuse matter for breakfast, while near them 


WEBBER AJfD HIS EAMILT. 


m 


and on each side of th 3 road were rather pretty villas occu 
pied by the merchants of Melbourne. 

Past all this we galloped, and struck the dusty road which 
led to Webber’s. Luckily for us, a heavy dew had fallen 
during the night, and the sun had not yet risen to drink it up ; 
consequently we were enabled to escape the clouds of pulver- 
ized stones, blinding all who used the roads on a windy day. 

But at last we left all traces of the town behind, and only 
at rare intervals came to a house. We passed through 
bushes which lined the road on each side, behind which a 
gang of resolute bushrangers could have wiped our party 
out of existence, and we should never have known what did 
it — through forests, on the branches of which chattering 
parrots and paroquets with gorgeous plumage mocked us, 
or else grumbled at the want of breakfast and the difficulty 
they would encounter in finding just such food as suited 
them — on to the cross roads, one of which led to Balla- 
rat and the other to Bendego ; and then we saw Webber’s 
house, and in front of it were several heavy, lumbering 
wagons, some of them drawn by mules, and others by 
horses and oxen, while in the road, where the ' dust was 
knee-deep, were half a dozen little Webbers, clothed with 
scant garments, rolling up balls* of dust by the aid of an 
ox horn filled with water. The little imps were having a 
jovial time, and were about the color of the dust in which 
they were playing, regardless of the mules, horses, or oxen 
stamping around them in every direction, while close to the 
children rolled several kingaroo dogs, long-legged fellows, 
with lean bodies like a greyhound, and the only species 
capable of keeping in sight of that bounding, singular ani- 
mal, the kangaro/>, peculiar to Australia, and no other 
country. 

Opposite the house, which was one story and a half high, 
were half a dozen natives, who were nearly naked, basking 
in the sun, which had just begun to impart a little warmth 
to the atmosphere. The natives raised their little sharp 
black eyes as we passed them, scanned us for a moment, and 
then dosed like wall-fed dogs, too lazy to stir 


112 


THB BUBHBANGBB8. 


We made our way througli the crowd, carefully avoiding 
the tow-headed children, who rewarded us for our forbear- 
ance by hurling handfuls of dust and mud-balls at our heads, 
and at last drew up to the front door, where some dozen 
men, teamsters and minerq, were seated, drinking gin and 
water, ale and beer, and smoking clay pipes. 

Just at this moment, a fat, light-haired man, whom I 
recognized as Webber, looking no older than when I last 
saw him, came out of the bar-room. He waddled towards 
us, pipe in mouth, and in a calm, Teutonic manner, welcomed 
us to the house. 

“ Ps glad to see yer, Mishter Murden, but I don’t knows 
what brings yer here at dis time. Ts glad to know dat you 
is got back to yer old place, ’cos de bushrangers eats my 
scheeps like ter tyfil, and I no help myself. I’s much glad 
to see you, and I will have some breakfast for you right off 
immediately.” 

“ We don’t need it, Webber. Besides, we don’t relish 
your cookery. You serve too many ashes with your 
mutton.” 

“O, well, but dat is true,” and Webber scratched his 
head, as he continued, “ But de beer is good, Mishter Mur- 
den, and you vill hab some of dat, or perhaps you vill take 
coffee. We always has good coffee.” 

We were willing to take his word for it, and followed him 
into the best room, on the walls of which were hung scenes 
in lager beer saloons in Germany, done in cheap style, yet 
faithful enough in their representations to cause many a 
Teutonic heart to sigh for faderland, and wish for home and 
lager, with an unlimited supply of cheese and sausage. 

On the floor was a rough-looking fellow, with long, black 
hair, which fell in tangled masses about his shoulders and 
neck. His slouched hat was pulled over his eyes, and his 
great muscular arms were crossed over his breast ; but they 
did not conceal the hilt of a knife, — a long and ugly-look- 
ing weapon, — and a pistol. 

“Whom have you there, Webber?” asked Murden, and 
the commissioner pointed to the sleeper. 


THE SLEEPING TRAMP, 


115 


“ Ah, dat is a veller what is goin* to de mines. He stop 
here dis mornin’, and he eat and drinks gin like diinder; and 
arter he eats ’im, he comes in and sleeps, I s’pose. He pays 
for all he gets, and dat’s all I know of ’im.” 

“ I must see his face,” returned Murden. “ He looks like 
a tough case.” 

Don’t you touch ’im,” cried Webber ; he is von savage, 
and care for no one. Let ’im sleep, and den ven he vakes 
up he clears out, and says nothin’ to any von. He pays me, 
I s’pose, for his bed.” 

But Murden was not put off by th^ excuse. He stoo))ed 
down, and attempted to remove the hat from the man’s face ; 
but the fellow turned, uttered a deep growl, and struck at 
the commissioner, at the same time, saying, — 

“ Let me sleep, you Dutch hog, or I won’t pay you for the 
bed ; ” and then the man pulled his hat over his eyes more 
firmly, and turned over and went to sleep, or seemed to, for 
he snored like a man who needed rest. 

“Don’t disturb him,” pleaded the German. “ He no 
pays me if you does. He calls it a bed, and I make him 
pay all de same as though it vas. Ah ! here comes 
de coffee, and it smells bery nice. I makes good coffee 
here.” 

“Now, Webber,” said Murden, as we tasted the coffee, 
after seeing that no flies were in it, “ tell me some reliable 
news of the bushrangers.” 

I looked at the commissioner, and pointed to the man on 
the floor ; but Murden laughed, and said, — 

“ 0, he’s too drunk and sleepy to know what’s going on. 
No fear of him.” 

I was not satisfied, but still I had no more to say. 

“ Veil, Mishter Murden, to tell you de truth, I don’t know 
much about ’em ; but sometimes dey takes a scheep or two, 
and den dey leaves mo for some von else, and I is glad of it. 
I vish dat dey would pay me for it, ’cos I’s a poor man, and 
ean’t afford to lose ’em.” 

“ Then you don’t know of a gang near here ? ” 

“Not shust at dis time. I heard dat dere vas soms at 


114 


THJC BUSHBANGEBS. 


Sanderson’s farm, or do ndder side of de river ; but dat vas 
a veek or two ago.” 

“ And what do natives say ? Do they bring any word ? ” 

“ Not lately, I dink. My stockmen no say dat dey see 

> „ »» 
em. 

Just at that moment I happened to look at the sleeping 
man, and was somewhat astonished to see a pair of wild, 
ferocious eyes glancing at me from beneath the slouched hat. 


CHAPTER XV. 

A SUSPICIOUS 8LEEPEB. — THE MEETING IN THE BUSH. 

If I could have had a second glance at the man’s face, I 
could have judged whether he was insane, or rational and 
wicked ; but the fellow pulled his hat over his eyes, and 
appeared to sleep as deeply as when we first entered the 
room. At first I thought of calUng Murden’s attention to 
the man and his suspicious movements ; but I recollected 
that the commissioner would probably laugh at me for my 
trouble ; so I drank my coffee in silence, and listened to the 
conversation between Murden and Webber. 

“Yes, Mr. Murden,” said Webber, in continuation of 
some remark that he had made, “ I should have heard of it, 
never fear, if der had been many bushrangers around here. 
So many people stop at my house dat I gets all de news. 
Dey tells me ebery ding dat is goin’ on, and if I knew of a 
get of lazy rascals loafing round here, I should tell you 
about it like smoke.” 

“ But you must have heard of some bushranger depreda- 
tions near here,” persisted Murden. 

“ To bo sure I does. Some weeks I lose a scheep every 
day by a rascal who had to eat mutton or starve. But dey 
no come near de house — dey fear de traps too Mdch for 
4at” 


A SUSPICIOUS SLEEPER, 


“ And you have not heard of Keeler and his gang of bush- 
rangers ? ” asked Murden. 

“ Yes, I heard of dem last week. A miner he say dat 
Keeler away up near Bendego, and dat he rob ebrey one dat 
he meet. Dat all dat I hear of him.” 

Murden thought for a moment, an(k. Webber seemed 
anxious for the result of his deliberation. 

“ Why not go and hunt ’em ? ” the German asked. “ Dat 
Keeler bad man — all his gang bad men. Dink no more 
of robbin* a Dutchman dan dey would a Englishman. 
Great haul if you take Keeler. But he is smart, and say 
dat nobody can’t catch him, and I begin to dink so.” 

“ It is singular,” at last Murden said, in a tone of solilo- 
quy. “ I heard from good authority that Keeler had been 
seen near this spot, and that he had a camp on the Lodden. 
Tb« information must have been false.” 

“ Let us get into the open air,” I said ; “ these flies will kill 
mr with their bites and stings.” 

We all moved from the room ; but I left it last, and as I 
crossed the threshold I turned and glanced .at the sleeping 
man. Once more I caught sight of those baneful eyes ; but 
th«y were closed in an instant, and I left the room. Web- 
ber closed the door and locked it after we had passed out, 
putting the key into his pocket, and in reply to my look of 
interrogation, said, — 

“ I do dat ’cos de man might go off and no pay me. 
We has to look arter all de coppers, or we be ruined, the 
miners cheat so like anything.” 

While we were lighting our pipes, the German asked, in a 
careless way, — 

“ Shall you go back to de city, Mishter Murden, or viU 
you push on for Bendego? It is early yet, and de heat 
no come on. K your horses fresh, you make ten miles 
afore ten.” 

“ I think we shall push on,” the commissioner answered ; 
“ but I am not certain what I shall do. I am half inclined 
to return to the city— and would if it was not so hot.” 

I thought I saw the faintest twinkle of satisfaction in tho 


THE BUSHEANQBES. 


114 

dull, gray eyes of tlie German wlien this announcement waii 
made ; but Murden saw nothing. He chatted with the Ger- 
man, asked after his wife, his children, his cattle, and at last 
left the host, and strolled towards the place where the police 
force was encamped. 

** Have you full confidence in that German ? ” I asked. 

Murden stopped and looked at me, as though surprised at 
the question. 

“Confidence in Webber?” he asked. 

“ Yes ; have you confidence in his honesty and integrity ? 
If I remember rightly, there were some few suspicions at- 
tached to his name when I first knew him ; and it was even 
said that he had an understanding with ticket-of- leave 
men.” 

“ And you still think that Webber is on the neutral 
order ? ” asked Murden, in a musing tone. 

“ It looks so to me. He may be a true man, but he does 
not appear so to me.” 

“ Nor to me either,” replied the commissioner in a low 
tone, as if fearful the bushes would hear his remark and 
repeat it. “ I know the man most thoroughly, I believe ; 
and while I think he would do most anything for money, yet 
I don’t imagine he would dare to play us false unless labor- 
ing under the influence of bushrangers.” 

“ And you will find that he is in that condition to-day,” I 
said. “ The fellow, while talking with us, was evidently 
desirous of keeping peace with a third party ; hence his non- 
committal answers.” 

“ But what third party did he fear while with us ? ” 

“ Did you notice the fellow who was lying on the floor ?” 

“ Yes ; sleeping soundly.” 

“ Appearing to ; for he was no more asleep than you 
were. He heard every word that was uttered.” 

“ 0, no ! that can’t be,” replied Murden. “ I should have 
noticed him if he had been playing the eavesdropper. I 
have a quick eye, and can see as far as most folks.” 

“ I have no doubt of it; but just, send one of your men 
to the house to keep an eye on the fellow. Let him slip on 


THB MEETING IN THE BU8H. 


IIT 


ft miner’s stdt, and play the spy for a few hours. Do this to 
oblige me.” 

“ 0, anything for a quiet life ! ” answered Murden, with a 
shrug of his shoulders. “ It’s all nonsense ; but I will do 
it to satisfy you that I am right, and that you are wrong.” 

By this time we had reached the camp, which was located 
in a grove so thickly studded with balsam trees that the 
sun’s rays could not enter through the branches. The police 
officers were old stagers. Some of them had shared with 
me my former campaigns, and they knew all the woods and 
the habits of the bushrangers ; so feeling perfectly satisfied, 
when ordered from the city, that a hunt in the bush was con- 
templated, they had packed up their mosquito nets, and now 
had them in use ; for some of the men were sleeping, covered 
with the nets, and thus rendered impervious to the attacks 
of the blustering, bloodthirsty mosquitoes, and the inquisi- 
tive gnat with its painful bite. Such of the men as were not 
asleep were under their “ protectors,” reading or smoking ; 
and among them I was pleased to see my old friend. Lieu- 
tenant Maurice, who did me the honor of throwing off his 
net, and arising and shaking my hand in a hearty manner. 

“ This,” he said, “ looks like business. Here we are once 
more on the war path, and may luck favor us ; ” after which 
remark he dove under his “ protector,” and appeared to bo 
quite contented with himself and the world. 

“I want you for a moment,” said the commissioner, 
speaking to Maurice; and that gentleman at once arose 
without a sigh, and followed us to Murden’s headquarters, 
which was a huge net, in the form of a beU-topped tent, 
capable of accommodating four or five persons, and breaking 
the legs of the most adventurous mosquitoes that ever 
walked over fine muslin, and butted their heads against its 
meshes. In the centre of the tent was a small table, made 
for being taken all to pieces in a moment’s time ; and on 
that table were several bottles, some crackers and cheese, 
and a box of sardines. All these things were the result of 
Tom’s thoughtfulness, or Murden’s discipline, it matters 
little which. By a vigorous effort we drove the insects from 


118 


THl BUBH&AKGBBS. 


fclie front of the tent, and then entered, and found peace aji3 
comfort beneath the heavy folds of muslin. 

“ Come, let us take a drink,” said the commissioner. 
“ This is a dry country, and dryness is not conducive to 
health. Here we go ! ” We emptied the glasses, and lighted 
our cigars. 

“ What is the programme ? ” asked Maurice. “ Do wa 
remain here, or make a dash for Keeler and his gang ? ” 

“ Ah ! Tell me where Keeler is, and I’ll answer the ques- 
tion,” Murden replied. 

“ In the first place, before you discuss his whereabouts,” 
I said, “just send a man to Webber’s, and let him watch 
both Webber and the fellow in the front room.” 

“ You still cling to your idea,” Murden said in a bantering 
tone. “ I thought that you had forgotten it.” 

“ No ; I never forget. I claim your promise.” 

“ And I will keep it. Maurice, put Sam in plain clothes, 
and send him up to Webber’s. Tell him to spot a tall, dark, 
wild-looking fellow whom he will find sleeping in the front 
room. Find out his business, where he came from, and 
where he is going ; and, at the same time, let him keep an eye 
on that Dutchman. I want to know if he has a double face.” 

“Yes, sir;” and off went Maurice to give Sam his in- 
structions. 

The heat now became oppressive, and as moving at that 
time of the day was out of the question, we just spread 
blankets on the ground, stripped off some of our clothes, 
and lay down, panting and gasping for breath. 

“Rough weather this, for hunting bushrangers,” said 
Murden. “We can only move early in the morning or late 
in the afternoon. The horses would melt under this sun.” 

Then he puffed hard at his cigar, and in a few minutes it 
fell from his mouth, for the man was asleep. Hez followed 
his example. I, too, fell asleep, and dreamed that a young 
lady had quarrelled with me, and then drenched me with 
scalding water ; and this was so severe a joke that I awoke, 
and found that I was bathed in perspbration, and actually 
steaming. 


WEBBER AND HIS GUEST. 


119 


Somehow, without thought or premeditation, I walked int€ 
the woods, and soon found myself in the rear of Webber’s 
house. The trees were quite thick here, and the brush was 
dense ; so I was about to return to the headquarters, when 1 
heard some one tramping towards me, crushing the drj 
branches under foot, and apparently in an impatient mood. 
I dodged under a bush at the foot of a babam-tree. It was 
best to be cautious, for I was some distance from the com- 
mand, and no force was out on patrol duty. Not that I 
really thought that a bushranger would venture so near us ; 
but there was no telling what might happen. 

“ Dar, now, we is far enough now,” cried a voice, which I 
recognized as Webber’s. “No von can hear us here; so 
dere is no use to go furder. Now stop and talk as much as 
you vant to, and be mighty quick vith it, ’cos I must go back 
to the house. 

“ Stop your noise, you blasted Dutchman, and tell me 
what you think the traps will do, or I’ll roast you over a 
slow fire.” 

I pulled one of the bushes aside and looked out. I saw 
that the speaker was the black ruffian who had occupied the 
floor in the front room. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

WEBBER AND HIS GUEST. THE PURSUIT. THE ESCAPE.— 

THE STOLEN HORSES. 

“ So help me Got,” cried the German, in answer to the 
demands of the dark-looking man, “ I does not know one 
ding vot the purlice does. You hears me teU ’em to go 
home, or go to Bendego, ’cos no bushrangers here. I say 
aU dat for you, and yet for dat you still kill my scheeps and 
lambs, and I lose much money by it.” 

“ And you’U lose a big sight more if you attempt bs 
play any of your Dutch games on me.” 


120 


THE BUSHBANGEES. 


“ So help me Got,” commenced Webber ; but the dark- 
looking man stopped him. 

“ Avast with your blarney,” he said ; “ I don’t want to 
hear it. All that I want to know is, will you stick to your 
bargain ? ” 

“ Ah, but vill you stick to yours ? ” demanded the Dutch- 
man, with a chuckle, as though he had caught the man in a 
trap. 

“None of your idle nonsense,” was the quick reply. 

“ Tm in no mood for jesting. There’s too much at stake 
with a gang of traps within a stone’s throw of me. What 
in the fiend’s name prompted them to give that scamp Mur-, 
den a command ? I thought that he was shelved forever.” 

“ Veil, dat is more dan I can tell, Mishter Kee — ” 

“ Silence, you Dutch hog ! How dare you pronounce my 
name ? ” 

“ Vy, dare is no one here, Mishter — ” 

Before Webber could finish the sentence the hands of the 
dark-eyed man were on his throat, and I saw the poor fellow 
strangle as though the pressure was more than was agreeable. 

“ Didn’t I warn you ? ” the fierce man cried. “ Fool ! 
sourkrout-eater I swiller of beer ! didn’t I tell you that my 
name was not to be mentioned ? ” 

“ Yaw, I didn’t dink,” was the reply ; and then, as Web-v 
ber rubbed his throat, he continued, “ I vish dat de tyfil had 
you. I shall find dunder to pay wid me by and by, nnd den 
vot shaUIdo?” 

“ Do as we do — run for it,” answered the dark-looking 
man. “ But I tell you that matters are pressing at the 
present time. Who is that young fellow with the sharp- 
looking eyes ? ” 

“ I don’t know ; I sees him somewhere afore.” 

“ Does he belong to the police department ? ” 

“ How shall I tell ? He no say dat he do.” 

“ Well, bang him, he acts as though he did, for the chap 
kept his eye on me all the time he was in the room. Did 
he speak of me ? ” 

“ No, I dink not.” 


WEBBEB AKD HIS GUEST. 


131 


** Well, m warrant you that he whispered his thoughts to 
that bloody commissioner. Blast them both ! what in the 
fiend’s name did they send a force here for ? Just as I 
wanted to recruit my band and make expenses <hese police 
ofl&cers come down on me ; and if they press me niw'd, what 
am I to do ? ” 

“ Cut and run for it,” replied the matter-of-fact German. 

“ If I do have to. I’ll make havoc among your muttons be- 
fore I go,” the dark-eyed man said, in a savage tone. “ I 
more than half suspect that you brought this cloud of pests 
down on me ; and if I was certain of it. I’d make you suffer.” 

“ So help me Got, I no do it,” was the answer ; and then 
the parties moved towards the woods on the right of the house. 

When I reached the camp, Murden was just stirring, and 
near him stood the officer who had been sent to the farm for 
the purpose of acting as a detective. The officer made his 
report. 

“ I have looked after the man you told me to spot,” the 
policeman said, and I find that he is a dissipated miner, 
with money and a taste for liquor. He drinks a good deal, 
and tells of his luck at Ballarat and the South Mountain dig- 
gings. I think that he’s an ugly customer when in his cups, 
out see nothing about him that don’t look square.” 

Murden turned to me with a triumphant look. 

“ You see,” he said, “ your suspicions were unfounded.” 

“ I see nothing of the kind. If you can’t muster better 
detectives, you should import a few from Yankee land. 
Why, I have been gone from the encampment but a half 
hour, and yet I have learned more than your whole squad 
have done since they reached this spot.” 

“ Gammon ! ” 

“ Is it ? Well, then, let me tell you that Fve seen Keeler, 
heard him talk, and know that he is near us at the present 
moment.” 

“ Honest, or joking ? ” and Murden brightened up in an 
instant. 

“ I never joke on such serious matters with the head of 
the Melbourne police department.” 


5 


THJB BUSHBANGEBS. 


;22 


“ Excuse me, Jack ; I know you don’t. I thwigkt that you 
?ere running a saw on me. Come, like a good-natured feL 
ow that you are, tell me all that you know.” 

“ Willingly ; but you must listen to me with patience.” 

“ Certainly. Go on.” 

“ Well, then, in the first place, your innocent miner who 
«lept so sweetly on the floor, was no other than the redoubt- 
able Keeler.” 

Murden sprang to his feet and shouted, “ To horse, men, 
to horse ! and lose not a moment ! ” 

The men within the sound of his voice sprang to their feet, 
and were about to rush to their animals, when I said, in a 
calm tone, “ Countermand that order immediately.” 

“ What for ? ” 

“ No matter at the present time. I’ll give you reasons, if 
you want them, by and by.” 

“ Saddle, and wait for further orders,” the commissioner 
said, and then turned to me for further revelations. 

“ How do you know it was Keeler that you saw ? Where 
did you see him, and why didn’t you give the alarm ? ” 

“ Don’t ask too many questions at once. Patience for a 
moment ; ” and then I informed my friend what I had seen 
and heard. 

“ That old Dutchman is in with them, after all. I have 
half a mind to arrest him.” 

“But now we must turn our attention to Keeler. I’ll 
mount my men, and dash down to the house. We can take 
him by surprise.” 

“ I doubt it, if that is the way you intend to capture him. 
The fellow is in the bush, awaiting information of your 
movements. Send the men out on foot, so that they can 
close in around the house.” 

“ By Jove, your plan is the best. I’ll adopt it ; ” and 
thrusting a revolver into his belt, he left the tent, and called 
his men around him, and told them what he expected them 
to do, and how to do it. 

“ If you see a dark-looking man,” the commissioner con- 


THE PUK8UIT, 


13S 


tinued, “just tell him to stop. If he refuses, shoot him if 
you can.” 

The officers vanished like ghosts. Some disappeared be- 
hind bushes, and others dodged behind trees, and in a few 
seconds, only Hez, Murden, and myself, were to be seen. 
We walked slowly towards the house in hopes of meeting 
Keeler there, and arresting him before the police came up ; 
but when we reached the building we saw Webber sitting in 
front of his door, smoking his long clay pipe. He got upon 
his feet when he saw us, and then I noticed that he had been 
patronizing his own bar. 

“ Webber,” asked the commissioner, “ where is the fellow 
whom we saw lying on the front-room floor ? ” 

“ Gone to dunder, I hopes,” was the answer. 

“ In what direction did he go ? ” asked Murden. 

“ Yaw ! what you ax dat for ? ” the German cried, his dull 
gray eyes assuming, for a moment, a cunning look. 

“ TeU me where that man has gone. I have business 
with him.” 

“ Den you-ain’t a lucky man, and de business von’t do veH. 
De man is a bad rascal, and he eat my scheeps, and say dat 
he von’t. I don’t know vich vay he goes ; I leave ’im in d.i 
bush.” 

Webber waved his hand in the direction of the bush back 
of his house, and then closed his eyes and nodded his wooden 
nead; and as we found that no further information could hi 
obtained of the man, we let him sleep until our forces closed 
in upon the house, which was speedily. They came from ali 
directions, and met at the rallying point without having a 
word of information to impart. No one had seen Keeler or 
heard of him, although they had noted footprints in the bush, 
but had lost them, owing to the dry nature of the soil. 

“ Search all the buildings,” cried Murden. “ Don’t leave 
a barrel unexamined.” 

“ But leave all de liquor in dem,” muttered Webber, who 
made an attempt to open his eyes, and found that the effort 
was a failure. 

The officers departed to perform their duty. They were 


124 


THE BUSHBANGEBS. 


gone for half in hour, and returned unsuccessful. As soon 
as the men had made their reports, Murden and I consulted 
together as to the next move. 

“ Take my advice,” I said. “ Put one of the natives on 
his trail. Let the man be followed for miles, if necessary, 
and report to us at the South Ford on the Lodden. We 
can be there to-morrow morning, and meet the fellow.” 

“ m do it,” Murden answered, and was just starting oflf 
to find a native tracker, a man that could keep on the trail 
of a cat, if such a thing were necessary, when one of oui 
men rushed towards the house with consternation pictured on 
his English face. 

“ What in creation is the matter with you ? ” asked the 
commissioner. 

“ Our horses,” gasped the officer. “ Four of ’em 
gone, sir.” 

“ Gone ! Where ? ” 

“ Don’t know, sir. While we were in the hush they left ; 
saddles and bridles gone with ’em.” 

I laid a hand on Murden’s shoulder, and whispered, “ Not 
£ word of this to any one. Keep cool, and signalize to the 
men not to speak of the matter.” 

He saw that the advice was good, and followed it. By a 
peculiar movement of his hands the signal for silence was 
given, and then we strode towards the place where the horses 
were tethered. As I apprehended, the rascal had taken the 
best animals that he could find, and among them were the 
horses which Murden, Hez, Tom, and I rode, the flower of 
the flock, the very animals that I had felt so proud of when 
we left the city that morning. There was no longer a ques- 
tion about the heat. We thought of it, but determined to 
ignore it. We threw the saddles on the horses, got a lean 
native to examine the trail and follow it on the run, and then 
we dashed through the bush, determined to avenge the 
vrrong which we had received. On we went, over a prairie 
where the soil was hot and dry, and through a dark wood, 
where it was necessary to sway from side to side to avoid 
Jie branches ; and it was while we were in the wood that my 


LOST nr .THE WOODS. 


125 


Mddle-girth broke, and I jras compelled to baul up for 
repairs. 

“ Shall we wait for you ? ” asked Hurden. 

“ No ; m join you in five minutes ; ” and with this assur* 
ance my companions dashed on. 

The girth required more repairing than I anticipated. Be- 
fore I was ready to trust to it, half an hour had elapsed, and 
then I noticed that the sun was low, and that not a sound, 
except that made by insects, was to be heard in the woods. 
I was alone. 


CHAPTER XVn. 

LOST nr THE WOODS. MT HOBSE’s DEATH. EIGHT AND 

MOSQUITOS. AN UNWELCOME BEDFELLOW. 

I PATTED the animal, and then mounting, rode quickly in 
the direction which my companions had taken, determined 
to overtake them as soon as possible. After I had ridden 
for five miles, the bush growing more and more dense, I was 
compelled to stop and look around me, having almost arrived 
at the conclusion that I had missed the trail, and that I was 
in the midst of an Australian forest, with the sun only an 
hour high, and the prospect of passing the night in the com- 
pany of my horse and eight or ten billions of mosquitos, 
without counting other insects, of lesser note, but blood- 
thirsty propensities. I had eaten nothing since morning. 
My horse was tired, for his head drooped and his eyes were 
closed, and the sweat poured from his sides in streams. I 
dismounted, and as I did so I looked down and saw at once 
what was the matter with the poor beast. One of its hind 
legs was swollen in a terrible manner, so much so that the 
limb was almost powerless for locomotion. I removed the 
saddle, took off the bridle, and the animal made an efibrt to 
nibble a bush, but gave it up, and turned its sorrowful, dark, 
expressive eyes upon me, as though asking an explanation 


126 


THE BUSHEANQEK8. 


for its loss of appetite and all energy. I knew that it would 
not add to my peace or security to have the horse die neai 
my camping-ground, for the dead body would attract myriads 
of insects, and perhaps dozens of wild dogs and other ani- 
mals. I spoke a kind word to the poor brute, and then 
walked off some distance, the horse following me with slow 
and painful steps. The leg, which had felt a serpent’s 
teeth, was swollen so much that the joints did not work, and 
the foot did not touch the ground. It had increased so 
much in size that I expected the skin would burst with every 
movement. I walked until the animal staggered at every 
step, and looked so piteous for help that I stopped, and was 
just about to pat the brute’s neck, when it fell over ; then 
with one convulsive struggle, the horses’ life was gone ; and 
hardly had the breath left the body before a cloud of insects 
settled upon it, eager and fierce for a feast. 

I stood and watched them for a short time, but the dark- 
ness warned me that I had better retrace my steps to the 
spot where I had left the saddle, and with a terrible fear 
that a spotted snake would seize upon me as the next vic- 
tim. To prevent such a fate, a careful avoidance of dry 
limbs and rotten logs was made on my way back to the 
place where the saddle was deposited. 

But I did not meet with any mishap. I saw nothing more 
formidable than insects ; and they punched away at me until 
I was forced to cover my face and hands with stuff which I 
had brought with me from Melbourne. In a few minuter ^ 
was so dark that I could not see my hand before my ey‘^e 
The wild dogs had already found the body of the horse, 
were barking themselves hoarse in their struggles for a 
per. I lay down at last, put my head on the saddle, and 
placed my revolver and bowie-knife so that I could use them 
at a second’s notice. 

I tried to sleep, but the barking of the wild dogs prevent- 
ed me ; so I just lighted my pipe, and puffed away most 
rigorously, much to the disgust of the mosquitos, which 
made frantic efforts to reach me through my protectors. 
But while I was smoking, napping, and swearing just a 


AH UNWKLCOJUK BEDFELLOW. 


127 


Kttle, I suddenly, during a momentary lull, heard something 
rustle near the bushes, as though a creeping body was pass- 
ing over dry branches, and moving in my direction. Sud- 
deoly it ceased its motions, and seemed to listen, as though 
waiting for definite information respecting my whereabouts. 
For ten minutes there was a profound silence, with the 
exception of the quarrel of the wild dogs, which were mak- 
ing a feast over the remains of the dead horse. ^ 

I began to doze, but was awakened in an instant by a 
rustling sound. This time it was nearer than before ; so I 
hurled a dry stick in the direction of the noise, and the 
reptile remained quiet for a moment, and then recommenced 
its movements. I lighted a match and set fire to a dry 
branch which I had provided before dark to act as a torch. 
With a revolver in one hand and the torch in the other, I 
started off to search for the reptile that dared to disturb my 
meditations. I looked under the bushes and in the bushes, 
but not the least sign of a snake could I see ; and after a 
search which lasted a quarter of an hour, I put out my torch, 
and went back to my hard bed, settled my head comfortably, 
and was just about to doze off, when the rustle of' my old 
enemy once more startled me, and I found myself sitting 
upright, listening with all my might for further indications 
of an assault. Once more I lighted my torch and surveyed 
the premises. Ten minutes did I spend in trying to find the 
animal, and was unsuccessful. 

“ Blast the snake,” I muttered ; “I don’t believe there’s 
one within a mile of me. I won’t search again.” 

I stamped the fire out of the torch, and lay down ; but 
hardly had my head touched the pillow, when rustle, rustle, 
went the leaves close to my head. I remained quiet and 
listened. 

Once more my torch was brought into requisition, and 
another hunt ensued, but with the same want of success. 
/J2 was quiet. There was no more rustling of leaves and 
crackling of dry branches. The snake had left me for other 
quarters, as I supposed ; so sleep sealed my eyelids, and I 
dreamed of grotesque and horrible things, and at last awa* 


128 


THE BUSHBANQBBS. 


kened with a start, and to the fact that I was quite chilly, and 
that on my heart, apparently curled up for warmth, and 
nestled as near the flesh as possible, was a living thing — the 
snake that had troubled me before I fell asleep. I did not 
dare to stir, for if I did I feared that I should receive a 
deadly wound ; and if the customer on my breast was a spot- 
ted snake, a speedy death was certain, even if the skin was 
but grazed. It might be some other kind of snake ; but it 
was not likely it was a harmless one, for but few reptiles that 
inhabit the dense woods of Australia are innocent of poison. 

I listened carefully and attentively. The reptile was 
sleeping, or else curled up on the watch, prepared to strike 
at the first demonstration of hostilities. I made a first ven- 
ture as a test, and to see what the result would be. I 
moved one arm in the direction of the torch which I had 
used in the early portion of the night. No corresponding 
movement on the part of the snake took place. This em- 
boldened me to proceed and make another attempt. I thrust 
my right hand into a pocket where I kept my matches, and 
succeeded in obtaining several without disturbing the reptile. 
I thou^t that this was wonderful good fortune, and I grew 
bolder in consequence ; but I was suddenly checked in my 
congratulations, for the reptile appeared to have been dis- 
turbed. It seemed to have raised its head, listened for a 
moment, and then curled down in its old place, and once 
more gone to sleep. 

After this demonstration I did not move for a long time ; 
although while I lay upon my back, and stared at the pitchy 
darkness, it seemed to me that I could see Jenny’s face encour- 
aging me to proceed, and save myself from the poisonous 
fangs of the monster. I waited until I thought that my visitor 
was quiet, and then I carefully lighted a match, and set 
fire to the resinous wood. Still there was no movement on 
the part of the snake. The flame burned quite feebly at 
first, and did not give me light enough to see the color of 
my strange bedfellow ; but it gathered headway at last, and 
burned into a bright flame, that threw its rays for many rods . 
into the dark forest. But there was no motion on the 



“Now or never ! ” I shouted, and let my knife descend upon the head of 
the reptile.— Page 129. 




r 4 


4 


a 


4 


t 




/ ^ 


t 


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% 



AW UWWELCOMK BKDFKLLOTf. 


129 


part of the snake. It remained curled up, as quiet as before 
the fire was kindled, and this gave me hope. I drew mj 
bowie-knife, and prepared to give a mighty chop, in case the 
reptile made a spring ; and then, with a faint prayer for 
success, I slowly raised my head, and took a survey of the 
monster. My movement seemed to disturb the sleeping 
animal; for as I raised my head and moved my bndy, a 
similar movement on the part of the reptile took place ; and 
when I was able to rest on my left elbow, and look at the 
place where the snake was nestled, I encountered a glitter - 
ing pair of eyes and an open mouth. 

“ Now or never ! ” I shouted, and let my knife descend 
upon the head of the reptile. It severed it at a blow, and 
the body, with a convulsive wiggle, tumbled from my breast 
to the ground. 

As soon as I had severed the head from the body of the 
reptile that had made a bed of my breast, and nearly caused 
my dark hair to turn white from the effect of fear, I sprang 
to my feet, and for a moment contemplated the bloody work ; 
and then all thoughts of danger gave place to merriment, 
and I laughed loud and long at the thought of what had 
happened, and could hardly realize that I had been suffering 
from the most intense fear for nearly an hour, as well as I 
could calculate the time. I think if any one had been within 
hearing of my voice, I should have been pronounced mad, 
and for a moment I feared that such might be the case ; but 
when I raised my torch, and saw the wiggling, squirming 
body of a poor harmless forest lizard, minus its head, instead 
of a repulsive spotted snake, I knew I was sane, and that 
my eyes did not deceive me. 

The forest lizard of Australia is a harmless, playful ani- 
iLal, about ten inches long, and weighs nearly a pound when 
fall grown. It often seeks the company of human beings ; 
and, if unmolested and petted, will lie on a man’s breast, 
and protect him, in a measure, from the bites of flies and 
other insects, and will often give warning of the presence 
of a snake, and even fight one, if aU means fail to awaken 
the human being whom it seems to love. 


130 


THE BUSHBANOEB8. 


While I was regretting the death of the lizard, othei 
thoughts entered my mind. I was hungry, and at my feel 
was meat more delicate and juicy than venison, more gamey 
than duck, and more palatable than chicken. Egad ! I 
would have a feast, and without delay. Fire and dry wood 
were at hand, and it was but the work of a moment to dress 
my prize. A few minutes’ time was sufficient to strip off the 
skin of my prize, and then I thrust a stick through its body, 
and roasted it to perfection; and even while I was thus 
employed, I was continually glancing around to see if I could 
not find a second victim worthy to be despatched for the' 
purpose of appeasing a hungry man’s appetite ; but no other 
lizard ventured near me. I looked at my watch, and found 
that it was nearly two o’clock. 

Throwing my rifle over my shoulder, I started on the trail, 
or the one by which I had entered the forest. I followed it 
for an hour or more, and then it grew indistinct, and at last 
I lost it entirely, and found myself wandering around, with 
no more idea how to find the way out than a child. I 
descended valleys, climbed hills, all covered with brush and 
trees ; and at last, just about an hour before sundown, tired, 
thirsty, and hungry, I left the woods, and entered a rich 
valley, through which a small stream ran; but there was 
no sign of life near the water, not even a sheep greeting 
me with its honest “ bah.” I paused, and looked aroimd 
for some sign of human habitation. I could see nothing. 
Not even a stockman’s hut met my gaze. On each side of 
me were mountains, studded with white patches, which I 
knew were of a quartz nature ; and I wondered if I had not 
stumbled upon a mine, such as would test the value of quarts* 
erushing machines, and make Hez’s heart dance with joy. 


▲ HIGHY OIT TKJfi MOUITTAIH. 


Ui 


CHAPTER xvm. 

i KIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN. — A STRANGE MEETING.— 
THE CAVE. 

As I entered the valley, I was too much pleased to con- 
plain of the solitude which reigned supreme in that district. 
I was too thirsty to find fault with the inhabitants of Victoria 
for not improving the advantages which such a spot clTeiccl ; 
for after I had quenched my thirst, I looked around^ and 
surveyed the valley in which I found myself. It was lying be- 
tween two high hills, or mountains, as they would be called izi 
this country, with rugged sides, with here and there a stunted 
♦tree, looking as though struck by lightning, and hit quite 
hard ; and along the head-lands, the points most exposed to 
the storms, could be seen heavy masses of white rock, which 
the rains had left bare, and which the lightnings of heaven 
could not destroy, fair as was the mark. Where I was, I 
had not the remotest idea. I might be miles and miles from 
human habitation, and yet a stockman might reside within 
the sound of my voice. “ At any rate,” I thought, “ it is 
better to be here than in the forest. I can see the sun, can 
obtain a drink of fresh water, and if no other course is left 
for me, I can easily follow the stream, for it must flow into 
the Lodden.” 

As I finished these reflections, I looked around, and 
thought I should have time to ascend the mountain on the 
opposite side of the stream ; and from the summit I hoped 
to be enabled to survey the country, and shape my course for 
the next day. But as I was searching for a fording-place, 
I saw several dark forms glide under the shadow of the 
banks. I had a hook and line in my haversack, but no bait. 
I tried the virtues of a white rag, but the fish, which seemed 
to be a species of trout, and far from shy, did not bite at it. 
I drew out my line, removed the rag, and then commenced 
tearing up the sod near the water, and was rewarded by 


THB BUSHBANQEBS. 


in 

finding half a dozen angle- worms. I put one on the hook, 
threw in my line, and almost as soon as it had touched the 
water, a splendid speckled brown and gold looking fellow, 
made a jump for it. A swift turn of the line, a splash, a 
struggle, and the fish, weighing all of two pounds, was 
landed at my feet. It was all I needed for my supper, and 
after a short search I found a ford, crossed, and concluded 
to cook my prize before I made any further exertions for 
that night. 

As soon as I had concluded supper and lighted my pipe, 
I extinguished the fire, for I did not want a party of natives 
or bushrangers hovering near me during the night. I 
cmoked to keep up my spirits, but at last I could smoke no 
longer ; so I picked out the softest place I could find, and 
lay down, pulled the saddle blanket over my shoulders, and 
went to sleep. 

I was awakened by a footstep, or at least I thought I 
heard some one, with heavy boots, crushing down the dry 
leaves and branches, stumbling over rocks, and sliding down 
Eteep hills. I sat up and listened for a long time ; but the 
sounds died away at last, and I began to think that all I had 
heard was a dream ; and yet I could have sworn that a man — 
and a large one at that — had passed within a dozen feet of 
me, plunging along as though with a purpose, and acquainted 
with the ground over which he strode. As soon as I was on 
my feet, I commenced a search for the traces of the foot- 
steps which I had heard during the night. But my search 
was in vain. The ground was too hard and dry to leave an 
impression, and only the experienced eye of a native could 
have found the trail. 

I made a breakfast off of a fresh fish, and then commenced 
ascending the mountain in the hope of being able to see 
some sign of habitation. It took me nearly an hour to 
climb up, and after I had reached the top I could see noth- 
• ing but chains cf hills with deep rich valleys between them. 
Melbourne, I knew, was in a southerly direction, distant 
some thirty or forty miles ; but what puzzled me most was 
the fact that I could see no traces of the Lodden, and yet I 


A STRANGE MEETING. 


182 


was positive that I was not many miles from it. At last 1 
concluded that it was best for me to follow the' stream at the 
foot of the mountain, in hope that it would lead me to some 
stockman’s hut. Down the mountain I scrambled, and com- 
menced my journey. I skirted the sides of the hill, avoid- 
ing the rank grasses for fear of encountering snakes, and 
walked on until nearly nine o’clock ; and then I was too much 
fatigued to go farther at that time. During the morning I 
had seen nothing that evinced the least token that the valley 
had ever been inhabited. I threw my blanket down upon 
the ground, and was just about to lay my rifle on it, when I 
saw something that made me alter my mind. Within ten 
feet of me were beef bones, fish bones, and ashes, as though 
considerable cooking had been done in the vicinity. I ex- 
amined to see how long a time had elapsed since fire was 
made where the ashes lay. They were fresh, and had not 
been undisturbed more than two days. I regarded it as a 
joyful sight, and was just about to congratulate myself on 
the prospect of meeting with company, when a thick clump 
of bushes suddenly opened, and before me appeared a wo- 
man, tall, masculine, dark, with a ragged dress, dirty and 
ill-fitting, and hair that looked innocent of comb and brush. 
Her astonishment at seeing me was as great as my own. 
She pushed her tangled hair back from her forehead, and 
stared at me for a minute without uttering a word. At last 
she spoke, and her voice was hoarse and masculine. 

“ Who in creation is you ? ” she asked. 

“ A man,” I answered. 

“ Can’t I tell that, you fool, without word from yon ? 
Where did you come from, and what do you here ? ” 

“ I decline to answer the question until I know something 
of yourself.” 

“ You fool,” she sneered, “ the less you know of me the 
better. I’m a demon when Tm crossed.” 

“ Then I won’t cross you, for I don’t want to see a wo- 
man turn demon.” 

She looked at me for a moment in silence, as though 


184 


THE BUSHKANGBES. 


fi’ondering what I was made of, and what kind of deeds 1 
was capable of. 

“ Are you on the tramp ? ” the strong-minded female 
asked, making a comb of her fingers, and combing her tan- 
gled locks. 

“ Well, Fve tramped a number of miles.” 

‘‘ Hang you, why don’t you answer me in a civil manner 
cried the indignant female. “ You’U catch thunder if you 
ain’t all right.” 

“ What do you mean by ‘ aU right * ? ” 

“ Wait and you’ll see ; ” and the dirty female tossed her 
dirty head and pulled her lank hair as though plucking it 
out by the roots. 

“ rU wait,” I said, in a quiet tone. 

The eccentric and dirty female paused for a moment from 
her usual occupation, and asked, “ Is you on the bushranger 
lay, or the private tramp ? ” 

It was evident that the woman thought me a robber, and 
the question was, should I allow her to continue thinking so, 
or should I tell her at once what my real business was. I 
resolved to adopt the latter method. 

“ Tm neither a bushranger n or a tramp,” I said. “ I am 
a gold-hunter, have lost my way, and would feel obliged to 
you if you would show the road to Webber’s.” 

The dirty-looking female eyed me in a suspicious manner 

“ You is sure that you isn’t a spy ? that you didn’t come 
here to see what you could see, and then go off and blart 
like a bloody sheep ? ” 

“ I am sure that Tm no spy,” I replied. 

“ And you ain’t a ticket-of-leave man ? ” 

“No.” 

“ And you didn’t escape from the hulks 

“ No ; so far I have led an honest life.” 

The woman laughed in a scornful manner, and then ap- 
proached me. 

“ Let me see an honest man afore I dies. You is the fust 
•ne that I has seen for many years. Come, take off yer cap, 
9Q that I can see yer face.” 


a STRANGE MEETING. 


ISA 


I did so, and the wild, dirty-looking woman put hei’ head, 
repulsive as it was, close to mine, and scrutinized it cksely. 

“ You look like my Bob afore he went to the bad. He had 
Jist sich a face as ye has got. For his sake I’ll do ye a favor.” 

“ Then direct me to W ebber’s, and point out the shortest cut.” 

“ You can’t go there now,” said the woman. “ It’s thirty 
miles from here, and the boys is all along the road. They’d 
pick yer up afore you’d cross the Lodden, and it’s rough 
treatment they’d give you. You must wait till dark, and 
then start.” 

“ Whom have I to fear ? ” I asked. 

“ Men who don’t like honest faces.” 

“ Do you mean bushrangers ? ” I demanded in an eager tone. 

“ The traps calls ’em that,” the woman said, in a signifi- 
cant manner. 

“ And what do you call them ? ” I asked. 

“ Me ? I don’t call ’em. I cooks for ’em, and they comes 
when they is ready.” 

“ How long have you lived in this part of the country ? ” 
I asked, seeing that the woman was inclined to be uncon- 
scious of my presence. 

She looked up with a start, as though suddenly recol- 
lecting that I was near her. 

“ How long ? ” she repeated, with a bitter laugh. “ How 
should I know, when all days and months is alike to me ? ” 

“ And have you no desire to leave such a dreary place for 
some town, where you can see and feel that you are in the 
midst of civilization ? ” 

“ Why should I ? ” she asked, and raised her head. “ Who 
would notice an old woman like me — one what cares only 
for her bottle and gin ? No ; I’m better off where I is, with 
ft party of savages, than with peoples what ain’t so rough.” 

“ And when do you think those savages will return ? ” I 
demanded, with an eye to my own safety. 

“ Not afore night, if they do then,” she replied. 

“ And you would not advise me to start until night ? ” 

“ Not if life is sweet to you. Did you come from Mel- 
bourne } ” 


THX BUSHXi.NOBB8. 


186 ; 

“ Yes ; I left there day before yesterday.” \ 

“ Did you know Sam Sykes, or the man what they call 
the Manchester Pet ? ” 

“ Do you know Sykes ?” I demanded, in an eager tone. 

“ Hoi don’t I know the mean coward, and all about him 
and his tricks. He’d sell his soul or his mother for gold. 
Ho I I know him well enough.” 

I ** And his daughter; do you know her ? ” 

“JYiJ daughter/ Ho I ho 1 yes, I know her : Jenny is 
her name.” 

“ And she is very handsome, with large blue eyes and 
fair skin.” 

The old woman looked at me with a keen eye. 

Somethin’ like me, hey ? ” 

“Rather more youthful,” I replied, with a laugh; and the 
woman grinned a dirty smile in response. 

“Is yer in love with the fair-skinned and dainty Jenny?” 
asked the woman, combing her hair with her fingers, j 

“ I’ve seen her, and admire her,” I replied. 

“ And what said the lass to you ? ” 

“ Nothing.” 

“ Humph 1 she’s a proud wench, and might do worse, al- 
though it’s little she knows — ” 

“ Have you a cave here ? ” I asked. 

“ Of course we have, or how could the men hide when 
they were close pushed by the traps? One of the men was 
home last night, but he went away arly this momin’.” 

As she spoke she pushed aside the bushes. I followed 
close at her heels, and saw before me the entrance to a cave, 
but so blocked up with bushes that a person would not have 
noticed it, unless special attention had been called to the 
matter. The sides of the cave were composed of soft 
quartz, and as I bent my head to follow the old woman, I 
saw, by the aid of the sunshine, bright specks interspersed 
throughout the mass, which my experience told me was gold 
and that the mountain or ridge on which we stood was rich 
with ore. 1 stopped for a monent to examine the quarts 


THE CAVE, 


and the woman turned back and joined me, finding that I 
had not followed her into the cave. 

“ You’re lookin’ at them specks,” she said. “ Ho ! I know 
where they is bigger and thicker nor that.” 

“ And will you tell me where to find them ? ” 

“ Not now,” she said. “ There’s too much danger in this 
quarter for gold-hunters.” 

I followed her, with a determination to clean out the bush- 
rangers, who infested the neighborhood, at the first oppor- 
tunity, and then set Hez’s quartz-crushing machines at work 
in the valley, where wood and water were abundant, and 
where I. had no doubt we could crush out enough gold to 
make our fortunes in a year’s time, or less. 

The old woman led the way through a short arch, and 
then we emerged into a dome-shaped cell, large enough to 
accommodate some twenty men. It was lighted at the fop 
through the roots of a tree, the grass and earth being re- 
moved from them for that especial purpose. The light that 
came from the roof and that which came from the entrance 
was sufficient to enable me to see all that the cave contained. 
There was quite a stock there. Clothes taken from miners 
at various times, were piled up in one corner, without regard 
to order or convenience, and in the next corner were stores, 
boxes of pickles, wines, and many things which proved that 
the robbers had an eye to comfort when they took the con- 
tents of some storekeeper’s team, on the way to the mines. 

“ What do you think of this ? ” asked the woman, in a 
triumphant manner, as she noted my look of astonishment. 

“ There is only one thing wanting,” I answered. 

“ Name it.” 

“ A rear door, so that a retreat could be made in case of 
tn attack in front.” 

“ And do you think that Keeler is a man to forget sich a 
thing as that ? ” asked the woman, in a scornful manner. 

“ Keeler ! ” I cried, in astonishment ; “ do you mean to 
tell me that Keeler is the leader of the gang ? ” 

“ Ay, and a bold leader he is. When his name is men* 
iioned men treinhl-e, and the traps run like sheep.” 


THE BUSHBANGEBS. 


in 


CHAPTER XIX. 

tHE tnSTEXPECTBD ABBITAIi. THE CONCEALMENT. IE A 

TIGHT PLACE. 

** Did yer hear it ? ” asked the woman, in a whisper, with 
every mark of anxiety on her face, “ or was I dreaming ? ” 

“ I heard a whistle,” I replied. “ What is the meaning 
of it?” 

“ It means that some of the gang is near at hand, and if 
they find yer, death is your lot.” 

I picked up my rifle, and examined the cap on the nipple ; 
but the old woman noticed the movement, and whispered, 
“ Don’t offer to fight, lad. Keep quiet, and yer may yet es- 
cape.” 

Again the whistle sounded. This time it was nearer the 
mouth of the cave. 

“ Under the clothes with yer,” cried the woman. “ Yes, 
take yer gun with yer. Don’t ye hear ’em ? They is im- 
patient for me to answer ’em, and it’s a putty jawin’ PU get 
for not returnin’ the signal.” As she spoke she tore away the 
clothes, which had not been disturbed for some time, and 
motioned me to lie down. 

“ Some of the stuff is dirty, but not a bit need yer care, 
if yer life is safe. Don’t yer move a finger arter they is in 
the cave. Do yer mind me ? ” 

She did not wait for me to answer, but piled the musty- 
smelling clothes on my person, and would have covered up 
my head entirely, if I had not avoided it by making a barri- 
cade with my hands, and thus left a place to breathe and see 
what was transpiring in the cave. 

“Now, don’t yer wink,” the woman said, ‘ and don’t 
yer move till I tells yer that yer may.” 

While she was speaking, I heard the shrill tones of a 
wattle bird some distance from the mouth of the cave. 

“ They’ll bust yet, they is so rampagious. Blast ’em, 1 


THK UNEXPECTED AREIVAL. 


13 » 


wish they was all pizened. Now yer keep quiet, or yer 
throat won’t be worth a sheepskin.” 

The latter remark was addressed to me, for she gaye the 
clothes an energetic kick, and then took from her bosom a 
whistle, and sounded a shrill note. Then she left the cave, 
and when she reached the open air she once more applied 
the whistle to her lips, and blew a peculiar blast. Then all 
was silent for the space of five minutes ; and just as I began 
to think that the visitors had departed, I heard masculine 
voices, and then two men entered the cave. 

“ I tell you what it is, old Molly Brown,” one of the men 
said, — and I thought his voice sounded familiar, but I could 
not get a view of his face, for his back was towards me, — “ if 
you don’t leave off drinking gin, and attend to your duties a 
t ttle better, we shall quarrel.” 

“Who do yer call old?” demanded Mrs. Brown, in a 
fierce manner. “ And who ’spected yer at this time of the 
day ? Didn’t Ben say this mornin’ that yer wouldn’t be at 
home afore to-morrer, or the next day ? ” 

“ Yes, but you lazy old fool, Ben couldn’t tell yer that 
the traps would push us hard, and send us to cover for a day 
or two.” 

“ 0,” grumbled Mrs. Brown, “ they is arter ye, is they ? ” 

“ Yes, and the rest of the gang will be here before long ; 
BO tear around, old woman, and get us some dinner. We 
are hungry as wolves. Do justice to the eating, and after 
we leave you may have a glorious drunk.” 

“ Humph ! ” grunted the woman ; “ yer is a fool for talk- 
ing that way. I don’t get drunk, but I does drink when I 
feels bad at the stomach.” 

“ Which is often,” laughed the man ; and as he spoke he 
turned his dark face to the light, and I saw the wild, fero- 
cious eyes of the man whom I had seen in the back parlor 
•f Webber’s iiouseu 

“ Look a-here, Keeler,” said the woman, “ yer has a good 
deal of jaw to-day, it seems to me. If yer wants me to get 
somethin’ for yer to eat, just yer start to the brook and catch 
me some fi.3h.” 


140 


THS BUSHBANGEBS. 


“ 0, Bob will go,” was the reply. 

“ But I wants water. Here, take this bucket and get me 
some, and I’ll make yer a cup of coffee.” 

Molly put the bucket close to the man’s feet, but Keeler 
gave it a kick that sent it flying across the cave ; and then I 
saw his dark, ugly eyes flash as he turned them upon Mrs. 
Brown. But Molly did not appear in the least intimidated 
at the threats which were uttered. She put her arms akimbo, 
and looked the robber chief square in the face as she asked, — 

“ Keeler, am I useful to yer ? ” 

“ Yes, when you hold your tongue.” 

“ Then yer keep a civil word for me, or Til find a way of 
leavin’ yer. m not stand much of yer blasted nonsense.” 

The man did not answer her. Perhaps he knew that he 
should win no honor in an encounter of words, for at any 
rate he remained silent while the old woman left the cave, 
but in a slow and reluctant manner, as though she feared to 
leave me with such a savage. 

“ Blast her \ ” Keeler said to his companion, “ she grows 
more impudent every day. Liquor is raising the deuce with 
her mind.” 

“ But she is still useful,” remarked the other. “ She 
knows how to cook, if she is saucy and dirty.” 

The two bushrangers opened a bottle of brandy, and had 
a drink. 

I could have shot Keeler, or Bob, from the position which 
I occupied, but I did not want to commence hostilities until 
the last extremity. I thought that there was a bare chance 
of my escaping notice, either by the men leaving the cave, 
or else taking a nap. But while these thoughts were flying 
through my head, the confounded fleas were taking most 
unwarrantable liberties with my person. I did so long to 
squirm and commence a war of extermination on the vermin ! 
but when I looked at the two bushrangers I restrained 
myself, in hope that something would turn up and relieve 
me. But in this respect I was disappointed ; for, to add to 
my unpleasant position, I felt something of a more substantial 
Mature than fleas crawling up the leg of my pantaloons, vid 


Uf A TIGHT PLACE. 


141 


It was only by a powerful effort that I could command my 
nerves and keep still. 

I have already spoken of the snakes of Australia. They 
are numerous, and most of them of a venomous nature. As 
a general thing, the smaller the snake, the more poison its 
mouth contains. The large, anaconda-like reptiles, called 
black snakes, bite most ferociously ; but their teeth leave no 
poison in the flesh ; while the little copper-colored fellows, 
with flat heads and bright eyes, . such as are found under a 
stump or a log, or the green and black reptiles, are deadly 
with their bites, and short are the days of a man who receives 
one. It seemed to me that the reptile which was crawling 
ap my leg was a small snake. Keeler and Bob still sat 
facing each other, drinking brandy and water, and apparently 
enjoying themselves in a moderate way. If they would 
only leave the cave for a moment, I would make a bold 
strike for life ; but the brutes did not manifest the slightest 
disposition to stir, and yet the reptile that was on my leg 
was slowly working its way upward, and would soon bo 
unable to travel farther, and then I might expect trouble, 
unless I could dislodge the snake by a sudden start. But I 
could do nothing of the kind without meeting with a speedy 
death at the hands of the two bushrangers. To be sure, if I 
had known for a certainty that the reptile crawling up my 
leg was of a poisonous nature, I should have ended the sus- 
pense at once, and met my death like a man, fighting the 
robbers and inflicting all the damage that I was able to. 

But I was hopeful of saving my life, and trusted that 
the reptile was harmless. Once I moved one of my hands 
towards the spot where the reptile was travelling, and 
thought of crushing the animal with a grasp of iron ; but 
then I r?collected that I should get a nip from its needle- 
like teeth, no matter how quick I might be in my move- 
ments. But at last Mother Brown shouted from the mouth 
of the cave that she wanted some help to get dinner. 

“ Go, and assist her. Bob,” said Keeler. “ She is half 
drunk, and needs help.” 

The young bushranger uttered an oath at the trouble he 


t42 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


was put to, and then left the cave. Keeler turned aside, and 
commenced removing the earth from one corner of the cave 
a place which was covered with boxes. He dug patiently 
and rapidly for a moment, stopping every two or three 
seconds to listen to the movements outside, as though fear- 
ful of being interrupted ; but at last, with much care and 
some agitation, he drew out a tin box, removed the lid, 
and his eyes appeared to see something that was extremely 
gratifying, for a smile spread over the man’s dark face, and 
I saw him thrust in his hand, and remove from the box sev- 
eral bags. He balanced them in his hand, as though to 
judge if any of the contents had been removed ; and after 
he had gone through with six or eight bags, I heard him 
mutter, — 

“No one has disturbed them — no one knows my secret. 
A few more captures and I shall have enough to live on in a 
distant part of the world, if I can make my escape from this 
country. You go with the rest.” 

He took from his breast a bag, such as the miners put 
their fine gold in, and put it in the box, closed the lid, and 
was about to lay it away in its former resting-place, when 
Mother Brown, who, I suppose, felt a little anxious about 
me, entered the cave most unexpectedly. Keeler turned 
and saw her, and his face assumed an expression of rage. 

“ What do you want here ? ” he demanded, in a fierce 
tone. 

“ And what should I want,” Mother Brown asked, noways 
abashed or intimidated, “ but the bread for the soup ? ” 

“ Take it and go, then ! ” 

Mrs. Brown cast an anxious look towards the clothes un- 
der which I was concealed, laid her finger on her lips, and 
then left the cave. 

“ Curse her ! does she suspect what I have here ? ” Kee- 
ler muttered, as he commenced covering the box with earth. 

Just at that instant the reptile which was on my leg began 
to manifest signs of uneasiness, and I could feel its feet as 
they touched my flesh, even through the flannel drawers 
which I had on. It seemed as though I should take leavt 


FACE TO FACE. 


143 


tl my senses, I was so nervous and fearful of a fatal tenni- 
bation ; and at last I could endure no more. I threw off 
the clothes, and stood upon my feet. Keeler did not hear 
my movements. I did not care so much for the bushranger 
as I did for the reptile, for I was desperate. I stepped upon 
the hard floor of the cave, and gave my pantaloons a shake ; 
and I had to bite my lips to prevent a cry from escaping 
them, when I felt something slide down my leg and touch 
the floor. As the reptile came in sight, I saw that, instead 
of a snake, I had been frightened at a harmless little house 
lizard. I uttered a sigh of relief, and that sigh was so heart- 
felt that it attracted attention. Keeler heard it, and turned, 
and saw me not ten feet from him. 


CHAPTER XX. 

FACE TO FACE. THE STEtTGGLE. THE COMPACT. THE 

SXTEPEISE. “ DEATH TO THE SPY.” 

I JUST stepped back a few paces, and levelled my revolver. 
Luckily for me, Keeler had laid aside his fire-arms when he 
entered the cave. So now I had him at a great disadvan- 
tage, and he knew it ; for he made a motion for me to lower 
my pistol, and then asked, in a subdued tone, “ Where did 
you come from ? ” 

“ I came through there,” I replied, and nodded towards 
the arch, or entrance. 

“ And your friends, the traps, where are they ? ” demanded 
Keeler, whose voice trembled in spite of his attempts to 
conceal his agitation. 

“ You speak too loud,” I said, and once more raised the 
pistol, and pointed it full at his breast. 

The man cowered before me, and put up his hands in an 
imploring position. 

“ Don’t fire,” he said, ** and I will speak as softly as you 


144 


THE BUSHfiANQSBS. 


please ; ” but even while he spoke, I could see the treacherous 
eyes of the fellow glancing in every direction, as though in 
search of weapons, or some means of turning the tables 
upon me. 

“We have met before, Keeler,” I said. 

“Yes, at Webber’s.” 

“ You remember me, do you ? ” 

“ Yes, for I knew you suspected me at the time I was on 
the floor pretending to sleep.” 

“ You are right — I did suspect you.” 

“ And why didn’t you arrest me at the time. I expected it.” 

“ Because I’m not a trap.” 

The fellow’s face assumed a less sullen aspect. 

“ Then you’re on the detective game ? ” 

“ No, I’m not. I never belonged to the police depart- 
ment.” 

“ Then how came you here, and how did it happen that 
you were with the police ? ” 

“ I started with the commissioner for the sake of company, 
to see the country, and see if I could not prospect a little. 
While the police were in pursuit of you, I got lost, and 
wandered around until I found this place, but with no inten- 
tion of meeting you.” 

“ Is that a true statement ? ” and Keeler looked honest as 
he asked the question. 

“It is.” 

“ Then there is no occasion for us to be at war. Come, 
let us shake hands and be friends.” 

He advanced towards me with extended hand, and with 
such a look of confidence that I lowered my weapon and 
prepared to shake hands with him ; but just as I reached out 
to do so, the rascal gave my revolver a kick with his foot, 
and sent it spinning across the cave, and at the same time 
he threw himself upon me, both hands around my throat as 
though to garrote me ; and he would have done so if I had 
not possessed sinews of steel, and strength that belied my 
slight frame. I was rather small^ but what there was of mo 
was like iron. 











• r ■■ : 






j • 




T 

r 

/• 


\ 

\ 



» 

V* 



*v 

•i, » 






I « 


THIS BTRUGOLS. 


145 


“Yon rascal!” he cried, as his hands met my neck, 
“ ni choke the life out of you.” 

I made no reply. 

“ You thought you had tracked the lion, did you ? ” asked 
the bushranger, in a sneering manner. 

“Jackal, more like,” I responded, in a contemptuous 
tone, for the purpose of exciting his rage, and letting it 
aonsume his strength. 

“ Then FU eat you, jackal that I am,” Keeler cried, and 
immediately compressed my neck with renewed force. 

There was a brief struggle, during which I managed to 
release one of his hands from its clutch upon my throat, and 
as I did so, I obtained a firm hold upon his sinewy neck 
with one hand, while I wreathed the other in his long black 
hair, coarse and thick. 

“ Hang you ! let go my hair,” Keeler yelled, for I had 
given it an extra wrench while we were struggling. 

I made no answer, except by a savage shake, that made 
him wink. He threw his left arm around my waist, so that 
we were thus brought side to side — a position in wrestling 
that rather suited me, for I was accustomed to it, and knew 
that my agility would nearly, if not quite, counterbalance 
his terrible strength, even if he exerted it to the utmost, as 
I had no doubt that he would. 

“ Now I have you,” panted the bushranger, and with a 
sudden jerk he thought to throw me over his head ; but I 
caught one of my feet around his leg, gave it a twist, and 
the fellow found that his strength was useless, for while he 
sought to accomplish his purpose by the most stupendous 
exertion, he soon saw that his object could not be carried 
out unless one of his own legs should give way. 

All this time I was intent on the man’s motions, and I soon 
saw that he meditated a new trick, and one which I instantly 
prepared for. While the man was straining and striving to 
throw me over his head, I felt a slight relaxation of his 
muscles. It was sudden, so I knew that the bushranger was 
prepared for the last dodge in his list of tricks ; and just as 
the fellow thought he had me, I gave him a sudden jerk that 


146 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


sent him headlong upon the ground, and I landed on the lop 
of him, much to his surprise and my own satisfaction. 

Hang you ! how did you do that ? ” Keeler asked, aftel 
a fierce struggle, in which he found it was impossible to rise. 

“0, it was a trick of mine,” I replied, improving the op- 
portunity to get a little breath, which I needed, although I 
concealed the want of it to the utmost. 

“ Let me up and try that over again,” Keeler said. “ Fll 
bet that you can’t do it again.” 

“ No, I’m satisfied with what I have done. I have you 
here in my power, and I can soon end your career if I 
were disposed to.” 

“How?” 

“ You see that I have a knife at my side.” 

“ Yes, I see.” 

“ And I can use it.” 

The man made a powerful effort to rise, but I held him 
fast. 

“ You see that I can kill you at any time,” I said. 

“Confusion! yes,” was the answer. 

“ And do you think I will ? ” 

“ I know what I should do I ” and the fellow ground hii 
teeth together. 

“ What ? ” 

“ Kill you.” The man looked as though capable of it. 

“ I know you would, and now you see that I shall return 
good for evil. I do not intend to injure you, but I mean 
that you shall listen to me.” 

“ Perhaps I should rather be killed than hear a lecture.” 

The rascal had a species of grim humor that was rather 
captivating, and I liked him all the better for it. 

“ You shall see,” I continued. “ In the first place, I am 
here by accident, and not as a spy. Do you comprehend 
that ? ” 

“ 0, yes ; drive on, for you are hurting my back.” 

“ In the next place, I want to leave the cell, and have the 
promise of a safe journey to the Lodden.” 

“ Where you can inform the traps of our cave.” 


THE COMPACT. 


147 


“ I shall do no such thing. I pledge iny word that, if '1 
have a free pass to the Lodden, I will not use the informa- 
tion that I possess. Are you satisfied ? ” 

“ Of course I am. Your word is good for that. Now lot 
me up.” 

“ In one moment. Will you promise to allow me a free 
passage to the river ? ” 

“ Yes, and glad to get rid of you. I will shake hands 
on the contract if you will release me.” 

I did so. The bushranger slowly arose, stretched his 
limbs, and then glanced at me. I met his gaze without 
flinching. 

“ Come in. Bob,” the bushranger said, speaking to his 
companion, who seemed to have entered the cave. 

I turned to look at the man, and that act was an imprU’ 
dence, for the treacherous rascal threw himself upon me^ 
dashed me to the floor, and then shouted for his comrade. 
He had played me a bushranger’s trick, but it was one tha^ 
I could not have avoided. 

“ You fool,” he said, when he found that I was tOo much 
bruised to struggle or contend with him, “ did you suppose 
for a moment that I intended to release you, so that you 
could bring a cloud of traps down upon us ? You must have 
thought that I was precious green.” 

Keeler raised his voice, and shouted, “ Bob, come here, 
and see what I have got.” 

But no Bob answered to the call ; so Keeler was forced to 
hold me and talk to me ; and yet I could read in the man’s 
eye that he was somewhat apprehensive that I would defeat 
him. 

“ This time you walked into a hornet’s nest, my young 
spy,” Keeler said. “ You will go out in a different mannei 
from that in which you came in.” 

“ But remember your promise,” I replied. “ I had your 
life at my disposal at one time. Now you have mine at 
your command. Be as generous as I was. Recollect that 
I have never done you harm, except when I threw you, a few 
minutes since.” 


14S 


THK BUSHBANGEBS. 


“ You threw me by a foul trick,” cried the bushranger, 
giving me a savage shake for reminding him of his humilia^ 
fcien. You could not do it by a fair hold.” 

Lot me up, and we’U see,” I answered. “ I’ll give you 
a fair trial if you dare take one.” 

Keeler uttered a savage oath. 

“ Then you have really made up your mind to kiU me ? ” 
1 asked, in as cool a tone as I could command, at the same 
time attempting to move one of my arms so that I could 
gain possession of my bowie-knife, which I still had about 
my person. 

“Swift and sure is a bushranger’s vengeance,” Keeler 
replied, and blocked my game in moving my arm. He 
pinned it to my side, and grinned in a sarcastic manner as 
he did so. 

“ No, you don’t ! ” he cried ; “lam too old to be taken 
in that way.” 

Once more Keeler called to his comrade, and I heard him 
enter the cave, followed by Mother Brown. 

“What’s the row?” asked Bob, stopping a few paces 
from us, and shading his eyes, so as to accustom them to the 
light. He could not see us at first. 

“ Tve caught a spy,” Keeler answered. “ Find a pair of 
bracelets for his hands, and a cord for his feet. Look alive.” 

“ How in the fiend’s name did he come here ? ” asked 
Bob. 

“ 0, he walked in while you were off for water. I didn’t 
see him till he held a pistol at my head.” 

“ Marcy on us ! ” cried Mrs. Brown, with well-feigned 
alarm ; “ we shall all be murdered in our beds.” 

“ Find the bracelets,” said Keeler, “ and put them on, so 
that I can get dinner. Tve had a tussle with this fellow, 
and need a little rest.” 

“ I’m ari;er ’em sharp,” replied Bob ; and just at that 
moment he pulled out a pair of rusty handcuffs from one 
corner of the cave, and came towards us. “ Here they is,” 
he said. “ They hasn’t been used since we put them an that 
spy purliceman the day afore we shot him.” 


“DEATH TO THE SPY.' 


149 


“ And here is another one of the same sort,” returned 
Keeler. “ You know I told you of a sharp-looking chap 
who was with the police ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Well, this is the one. He has tracked us to this place. 
He is a spy, but he will never cross another bushranger’i 
traU.” 

“ I should think not,” responded Bob ; and stooping 
down, he raised one of my hands for the purpose of slipping 
the handcuffs on it. I saw Mother Brown seize an axe 
which she had in her hand, and with which she had been 
splitting wood, as though she was determined to give me 
freedom by smashing the head of one of the villainy think- 
ing that I could take care of the second one ; but just as she 
was prepared to shed blood, a signal outside of the cave 
announced the near approach of the remainder of the gang. 

Keeler heard it as soon as I, for he turned to Mother 
Brown, little thinking how near he had escaped certain 
death, and said, “ Answer the signal, and tell the boys to 
hurry up. I have captured a prize for them.” 

Mother Brown laid her finger on her lips in a significant 
manner, as though cautioning me to be silent, and left the 
cave. 

“ Now, then, my beauty, jist put yer dawley in this ’ere 
ornament, and then you’ll be all right and comfortable. 
Come, don’t be backward, ’cos you must come to it. It is a 
honor we allers pay to gentlemen what visits us for the pur- 
pose of noting our actions.” 

As Bob spoke I saw that it was useless to struggle. 
The bushrangers had me in their power, and could do as 
they pleased. I let them put on the bracelets without resist- 
ance ; and after they were on Keeler no longer feared me. 
He suffered me to stand up, and even sit down ; but he took 
good care to deprive me of the last weapon that I possessed. 
My revolver, especially, was of great value to the fellow, and 
he stuck it in his belt with infinite zest and satisfaction, 
while Bob adorned his person with my knife and belt ; and 
aftei that they took a drink together, and had hardly con* 

6 


190 


THE BUSHEANGER8. 


eluded when six ill-favored, dirty, long-haired, and bloody- 
minded bushrangers stalked into the cave and deposited 
their guns and pistols on the heap of clothing, 

“ By Jove, ^e’ve had a run for it,” one swarthy ruffian 
said, wiping his face with his shirt sleeve. “ We got the sig- 
nal just in time, for as we crossed the South Ford we saw the 
blame traps stealing through the woods. They didn’t sight 
as, though, and now here we is. Give us some rum. Mother 
Brown.” 

The ruffians had not noticed me ; but now, after their eyes 
got accustomed to the light of the cave, they saw me for the 
first time, and crowded around me, forgetting, for the time 
being, their love for gin. 

“ What is he ? ” demanded the most ill-favored of the 
ruffians. 

“ A spy ! ” replied Keeler. 

Every hand was laid on a knife, and every knife was 
drawn and pointed at me. 

“ Death to the spy ! ” was the cry. “ Kill him ! kill him I 
Death to the spy ! ” 

Keeler struck up the knives, and waved the men back. 

“ He is my prisoner,” the chief said. “ I have a word to 
say as to the manner in which he shall die.” 

“ Death to the spy ! ” the sullen bushrangers continued 
to cry. 

** He shall die, men,” Keeler said, “but wait until after 
dinner.” 

“ Yes, let us have some grub first,” and just then Mother 
Brown entered the cave, and announced that dinner was 

ready. 


MOTHEE BBOWN AND SEE PBIENDSHIP. 


151 


CHAPTER XXI. 

MOTHEE BBOWN AND HEB FEIENDSHIP. THE DISGOISB. 

AN ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. 

Thank God, the bushrangers were as hungry a set of men 
as could be found in Australia ; therefore they did not need 
a second invitation at the hands of Mother Brown. They 
rushed out of the cave, and left me alone, the rascals think- 
ing that it was not necessary to leave a guard to look after 
me, as I could not quit the cave without passing through 
the gang, most of them being seated at the entrance of the 
retreat. I heard the robbers, when they gained the open air 
gather around the respected Mrs. Brown, and express some 
little indignation because their dinner was not just ready, 
although the lady had said it was prepared. It was not 
taken from the fire. And when one public-spirited individ- 
ual suggested that the gentlemen present could amuse them- 
selves by hanging ^ that fool spy ” before grub was ready, 
I feared that the proposition would meet with universal fa- 
vor ; and perhaps it would have done so if Mrs. Brown had 
not raised her voice in opposition to the project, and when 
she spoke she talked plain. 

“ Look a-here, yer rascals,” she said ; “I ain’t goin’ to 
spile my taters and fish to please yer. They is all done, and 
now yer jist git yer tin plates and squat down. I’ll sarve yer.” 

“ But you said that dinner was all ready. Mother Brown,” 
Keeler remarked. 

“ No, sir, not by a long sight,” the strong-minded female 
replied. “ Pse got some bitters for yer afore yer takes the 
wittles.” 

Suddenly I heard Mrs. Brown’s footsteps as she entered 
the cave. She grumbled all the way through the arch ; but 
the instant that she saw me she ceased her complaints, and 
whispered, — 

“ Keep up yer spirits, lad, and I’ll do all I can for yer* 


162 


THE BUSHBAKGEBS. 


'cos yer look jist like my Bobby. They shan’t kill yer if 1 
can help it. I wants yer for to live, and marry the blue-eyed 
'’’enny.” 

She did not have time to utter more, for one of the bush- 
angers entered the cave, and the old woman left me abruptly, 
and occupied herself with some bottles which contained dif- 
ferent kinds of liquors. The fellow who had followed her in 
happened to be the sullen-looking bushranger, and the most 
bloodthirsty of the lot. I don’t know but that he was a little 
suspicious that some collusion was taking place between Mrs. 
Brown and myself ; for he glanced at us in a threatening 
manner, and then rejoined his comrades outside. 

“ He’s a wiper,” whispered the old woman. “ Fd like to 
pizen him.” 

“ And why don’t you ? ” 

“ ’Cos I ain’t got no pizen,” was the satisfactory answer ; 
and then Mrs. Brown continued to mix her liquors in silence, 
and after she had concluded, she listened for a moment, 
found that her amiable companions were all outside, talking 
of their adventures and escapes, when she cautiously ap- 
proached me, and whispered, — 

“ Take a sup of this, honey. It will do yer good.” 

I just wet my lips with the liquor, which contained sugar 
in large quantities ; and then the woman said, “ Til stand by 
yer, ’cos yer look jist like my poor Bobby. Them pizen 
things shan’t cut yer wizzen if I can help it. Do yer keep 
yer weather eye open, that’s all.” 

Her condition must have been remarked the instant that 
she hove in sight ; for one of the brutes, in the most unfeel- 
ing manner, roared out, “ Hello, Mother Brown ! drunk again, 
and afore we has had our dinner.” 

All of this the woman denied in most emphatic terms, and 
while she was thus waging a war of words, she served out 
the dinner ; and then I could hear the men discussing it with 
infinite relish, like hungry men that they were. I knew tha> 
Mrs. Brown was plying them with liquor, and that they dran> 
large quantities of it ; but at last she said she m ast enter the 
cave, and obtain more. 


MOTHER BROWN AND HER FRIENDSHIP. 


15S 


“Well, don’t be all day about it,” Keeler said; and in 
she came, headed towards me, and whispered, “ I’ll save 
yer, never fear. Here, hold out yer hands ? ” 

I did so, and she immediately commenced operating on 
the bracelets ; and so smart did she work that she managed 
to free my wrists, although she swayed dreadfully while 
about it. 

“ Now, my dear boy, take yer gun and run for it,” she 
whispered ; and as she spoke she made a lurch to port, and 
would have fallen if I had not caught her and steadied her. 

“ It’s a corn that I have on my foot,” she remarked, as an 
apology for the manner in which she staggered round. “ It 
allers made me walk lame, and it allers will. Sometimes it 
is wuss than at other times. This is one of the wusser days.” 

She stooped down to show me the offending excrescent ; 
but, in attempting to lift her dress, she made a plunge for- 
ward, and fell upon the pile of clothing under which I had 
been concealed. She was very drunk, but still she would 
not own it. 

“ It’s wery troublesome, to-day,” she whispered ; and then 
she laid her head upon the clothes, and seemed to be making 
preparations for sleep, much to my surprise and horror ; for 
I thought that my chances of escape were dull unless I had 
her assistance. She closed her eyes, and I thought she was 
about to snore ; so for fear that she should, I seized her arm, 
and shook her rather vigorously. 

“ Wal,” she asked, opening her eyes with a stupid stare, 
“ what is it ? ” 

I could still hear the bushrangers cracking their jokes, and 
eating their dinner, and I knew that time was precious. 

“ Come,” I whispered, “ I thought that you intended to 
assist me to escape.” 

She hiccoughed several times, and then stooped down and 
rubbed her foot in a thoughtful manner, as though to take 
time and collect what little sense she had left. 

“ It’s wery troublesome to-day,” she muttered. “ I should 
think that we was in for a rain. It aUers aches when thore'ii 
a rain.” 


154 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


I once more gave her a shake, and it seem ed to ler 
good ; for she passed her very dirty and hard-looking Land 
over her eyes, and slipped off the pile of clothing. 

“ I ^members all about it,” she muttered. “ You wants 
to cut from this place. You’re jist like my own Bobby, and 
you shall clear. If you don’t,” the woman continued, after 
a moment’s thought, “them ’ere chaps will rip yer threat 
open, and think nothin’ of it. So, to save your life, I must 
make a scarafice.” 

“ Why can’t I escape by the concealed passage-way,” I 
asked ; and I pointed to the place where it was. 

The old woman shook her head. “ A thafe is watchin* 
it, and he’d shoot you like smoke if ye stirred that way.” 

Drunk as the woman was, she noticed the change in my 
face, and hastened to cheer me. 

“ rU save yer yet,” she whispered. “We can cheat the 
imps in more ways than one.” 

As she spoke, she took from a corner a very dilapidated 
old dress, which, evidently, belonged to her wardrobe, 
for it was of the same material and color as the one she 
now wore. 

“ Now then, on with ’em,” she said, and pointed to the 
two articles which she had shed, apparently, by a shake of 
her person. 

“ Do you mean that I must on those clothes ? ” I asked. 

“ Of course I do. Don’t stand there chattering aU day 
about it, or the imps will come in and see me in this terrible 
state. It’s to save yer life I do it.” 

She made a pitch forward, but I caught her and stood her 
on her feet once more. 

“ It’s the corn,” she whispered ; “ it aches wuss than ever.” 

During aU this time I could hear the bushrangers drinking 
and eating, and even cracking their jokes at my expense. 

“ You hear ’em ? ” asked Mrs. Brown, with a leer and a 
druuken hiccough. 

“ Yes.” 

“ WeU, I must save yer for the blue-eyed gal’s sake. She’S 
thank me for what Fve done.” 


THE DISGUISE. 


15d 


She muttered something about the rascality of Sykes 5 and 
I had to shake her a little to restore her to consciousness. 

“ Put ’em on,” she said, as soon as she was restored. 
“ Put ’em on, or the imps will hang ye. Put ’em on, and 
pass out of the cave, and no one will notice but yer is old 
Mother Brown.” 

I looked at the garments with a feeling of disgust. Mrs. 
Brown noticed it. 

“ Ye needn’t turn up yer nose at the gown. It’s a good 
gown, and will cover yer up. On with it. It’s the only way 
for yer to cut.* I tell yer it is worth some risk ; now, mind 
me. 

“ But what will they do with you ? ” 

“ Never you mind me ; I can take care of myself. They 
won’t trouble me ; I’d tear their hair out if they did.” 

I secured the petticoat around my waist, and got my arms 
in the dress ; how it was done I don’t know. 

“ Now mind yer,” said IMrs. Brown, “ yer must walk jist 
like me — as lady-like as possible.” 

She started to cross the cave, but her walk was far from 
lady-like, unless reeling is a lady-like accomplishment. 

“ Do that,” she whispered, “ and take no notice of the 
thieves. If they talk to yer, don’t yer answer ’em, but groan, 
and put yer hand on yer belly this way, and then steer for 
the brook with a pail in yer hand, as though yer were arter 
water.” 

“ In what direction shall I go to steer clear of the bush- 
rangers who are on the watch ? ” 

Sure I was about to tell yer that. When yer reach the 
stream, cross it, and stick close by the edge of the woods. 
Bui mind that yer keep out of sight, for there’ll be thieves 
lookin’ for yer from every high peak between this and the 
Lodden. Do yer understand me ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Well, then, go, and may the blessin’ of old Mother 
Brown go with yer. It’s a bold push I make to save yer 
life.” 

The wretches outside had just about finished their dinnei^ 


156 


THB BUSH RAN GEES. 


tnd were washing it down with liberal libations of liquor, 
when I appeared. 

“ Hullo, old lady,” shouted one of the men, “ what have 
you been doing with the spy ? ” 

“ Making love to him, to be sure,” answered Bob ; and at 
this there was a shout, as though something witty had been 
uttered. 

I knew that the old woman would not submit to such an 
imputation without some remonstrance, so I aimed a playful 
blow at his head with the bucket, but the young joker dodged 
me, and put his finger to his nose. 

“ No, you don’t. Mother Brown. I am on the lookout for 
your back licks ; you can’t come it.” 

“ Mother Brown is in a ferocious mood,” said Keeler. 

“ Now,” I thought, “ is my time for an escape.” 

I had not proceeded far when I heard footsteps behind 
me. I tried to walk slow, and to show no signs of uneasi- 
ness ; but when I recollected that I had no weapons for de- 
fence, that not even a knife was left me, I must confess that 
I did not think I could offer much resistance in case I was 
commanded to return. But I swaggered on, still grasping 
the bucket, and determined to smash the head of any man 
who insisted on my return to the cave. The footsteps be- 
hind me drew near. I did not turn my head, but I listened 
most intently, and wondered what the devil the fellow wanted ; 
and just before I reached the foot of the mountain I felt a 
hand laid on my shoulder, and Bob’s voice whispered, — 

“ Mother Brown, let me make you a present.” 

I turned and saw the murzle of my own pistol pointed at 
my head, and Bob’s face looked threatening as he glanced 
at me under my sun-bonnet. I feared that all was lost — 
that escape was no longer possible. 



“ I turned and saw the muzzle of my own pistol pointed at my head.”- 

Page 156. 



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AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 


157 


CHAPTER XXIL 


kX OLD ACQUAINTANCE. THE PUKSUIT. — BLBHBANOE&S 

AND THEIB CONSCIENCES. 


% 


As I looked the young bushranger full in the eye, I saw 
at once that he did not appear very ferocious, or seem very 
determined, and on taking a second glance I found that my 
revolver was not pointed square at my head, as I first sup- 
posed, so that if he had fired, no great injury would have 
been done. 

“ Don't be in a hurry, IMrs. Brown,” continued Bob, walk- 
ing by my side, and attempting to keep step with me, as 
though he had seen something of military life. “ You have 
time enough to get the water. The day is hot, and I fear 
you will suffer.” 

I still pretended to be half drunk, but Bob laid a hand on 
my arm as if for the purpose of steadying me, and as he did 
so, he said, — 

“ Don’t attempt to walk so fast, Mrs. Brown. I fear that 
our friends will think you want to leave them. They might 
bring you back if such was the case. Keep step with me, 
and don’t be so eager. You are either not drunk enough, 
or too drunk. Which is the case ? ” 

‘‘ What in creation do you mean ? ” I demanded, turning 
on the man and speaking in my natural tone. 

He did not manifest the least surprise at the question, but 
continued to walk by my side. 

“ I mean,” he said, “ that if you were so drunk that you 
had to lay down like a hog, no one would come near you 
WTien half drunk, people offer advice, and are sometimes 
intrusive. Do you understand me ? ” 

“I think I do.” 

“ Then I hope you wiU profit by it ; for it would be awk- 
ward if Keeler should think that his vengeance was not 
likely to be gratified.” 


168 


THE BUSHRANGEBS. 


“ The fact of it is,” I said, “ you know me, and would do 
me a good turn. I thank you for it, and hope to be able to 
reciprocate some time.” 

“ Of course I know you. Mother Brown. We have been 
together for some years. You may have forgotten me, but 
your features are quite familiar to me.” I bowed, and walked 
a little more straight. 

“ I suppose you remember some years since, Mrs. Brown,” 
continued the bushranger, “ a soldier of the English army, 
stationed at Ballarat, was imprudent enough to get drunk 
and leave his post. A few paces from the point where he 
was stationed, two Americans owned a store.” 

I stole a look at the speaker’s face, and began to entertain 
an idea that I had seen it before. 

“ Most people would have left the soldier to suffer the 
penalty of his crime ; but not so the Americans. They saw 
that the soldier had been imprudent, and that he could be saved 
the penalty of his offence with a little trouble on their part ; 
so they seized on the unlucky dog, stripped him, drenched 
him with cold water, and then gave him an emetic for the 
purpose of clearing his stomach of the liquor which it con- 
tained. The soldier was awful sick for a few minutes, but 
the cure was rapid ; and before his comrades or officers knew 
that he had left his post, or had indulged in liquor, he was 
back to it, with his musket to his shoulder, pacing his 
rounds.” 

“ I recollect the circumstance,” I said ; and then I added, 
with a smile, “ if I mistake not, the soldier had to be re- 
lieved from his post on account of sickness.” 

“ Yes ; but his back was saved from the touch of the 
cat, I have always recollected the affair, and determined 
to repay the debt if it was in my power. You see I have 
gratitude, even if I do belong to a desperate gang. Hold 
on ; not so fast,” my companion continued, as I strode for- 
ward, anxious to put a wide space between the bushrangers 
and myself. “ Mrs. Brown does not usually exert herself in 
such a manner. There may be sharp eyes c n your move- 
ments. Who can tell ? ” 


AW OLD ACQDAINTANCB. 


ISd 

I checked my pace, and the young fellow continued, still 
«tpeaking as though I was Mrs. Brown : “ You may wonder 
that I am here ; but when I tell you that I struck my com- 
manding officer, and was forced to fiy or be shot, you will 
cease to be astonished. I wish I was out of it ; but how 
can I leave when a price is set upon my head ? ” 

“ Perhaps a pardon might be obtained,” I suggested. 

• “ Now you are laughing at me, Mother Brown. Bush- 
k angers are not often pardoned.” 

“ I don’t know but you might obtain the favor if proper 
representations were made at headquarters.” The young 
fellow shook his head. 

“My crimes are too numerous for such clemency; so don’t 
attempt to inspire me with such hope as that. I must see 
the thing through, now that I have started.” 

“ But suppose a bold, enterprising young fellow should 
some day conclude that it would be for his welfare to hand 
Keeler over to the mercies of the authorities. Such a man 
could make terms.” 

” Confusion! Do you think I would commit so mean an 
act ? I can steal, but I can’t turn traitor. No, no. Mother 
Brown, I’ll never betray Keeler, for he has proved true to 
me. 

By this time we had arrived at the brook. I looked back, 
and saw my escape had not yet been noticed. 

“ We must part here,” the young bushranger continued. 
“ Cross this brook, make for yonder woods, keep near the 
edge, and don’t show yourself until after you have passed 
the bluff which you see on my right. A lookout is stationed 
there, and he might see you if you crossed the valley near 
him. Follow the edge of the wood for ten miles, then strike 
the brook, and it will take you to the Lodden. Once there, 
you will know how to look out for yourself.” 

“ But do you encounter no danger in thus assisting mo ? 
Recollect that your friends will be enraged when they find 
me gone.” 

m risk the consequences. No one suspected that you 
acre dressed in Mother Brown’s clothes, and I don’t know 


16C 


ThX BUCHKAKOKSS, 


how it happens that yon have them on ; but Tii iisk hut that 
she will clear her skirts, even if she has lost them.” 

“ And how did you discover me ? ” I 

“I did not until I caught r sliglt 7*ew of your face. 
Hone of the others noticed you, for yom.” make-up is good.” 

“ Can’t I persuade you to leave with me ? ” 

The bu 5 hiu,nger shook his head. 

“ I must stick to Keeler,” he said. “ I wish I was clear 
ef the business ; but I can’t see how I can leave. If I could 
quit the country, I would jump at the chance. But it is 
useless to repine. Good by. Take your pistol with you ; 1 
stole it from Keeler. It will do you more good than him.” 

He extended his hand, and I shook it most heartily, then 
threw down the bucket, pulled my skirts up, and with a 
strong jump cleared the stream, plunged into the tall grass, 
— so high that it concealed my head when I stooped a little, — 
and commenced working my way towards the woods. Marv 
times I glanced back and took a survey of the bushrangers ; 
but my absence was not discovered until after Bob had joined 
them. Then I heard a shout, and saw that Mother Brown, 
whom I had supposed wmuld be fast asleep, and so 
safe, had come out of the cave, and was surrounded by 
excited, disappointed bushrangers. For a few minutes 
1 paused and looked back, listening to their angry voices; 
for the air was so pure, and the valley so quiet, that I 
could hear most of the shouting. I saw the men shake 
their fists at the woman as they surrounded her; but she 
met them defiantly, and did not appear to shrink from 
the responsibility which she had incurred. 

“ Where is the prisoner ? ” I could hear them roar. 

I glanced at the heavens. In one hour the sun would set, 
and darkness would cover the valley. I had no fear of being 
taken in the night time ; so when the bushrangers ran down 
the side of the mountain towards the brook, the spot where 
I was last seen, I turned and entered the woods in a leisurely 
manner, and commenced my journey towards the Lodden. 

But the bushrangers were better woodsmen than I had 
anticipated. They struck my trail, and followed on through 


THE PURSUIT. 


161 


the tall grass ; hut on entering the Black Forest they found 
themselyes at fault. My footprints could not be easily seen 
or marked ; so the rascals were compelled to follow me at a 
slow pace, while I pushed on as rapidly as possible ; and 
just at dusk, when it was impossible to distinguish a man 
from a kangaroo ten rods off, I entered the valley, struck 
the little stream that meandered through it, took a hearty 
pull at its waters, and then continued my journey until I 
found that I had struck dangerous ground; for on every 
side of me, as I advanced, I could hear the hiss of a snake, 
or the peculiar noise which the reptiles make when wiggling 
through dried grass. They were on their way to the brook, 
either to quench their thirst or to seek for food. 

On I went, stumbling over uneven ground, scrambling out 
of bog-holes, and starting wild dogs from their prey ; and 
at last, just as I thought I should have to give up and rest 
until daylight, I stumbled' against a fence. “ Thank God,” 
I muttered, “ I am once more near civilization.” I climbed 
over the fence, and walked forward. I found that I was on 
cultivated land ; that trees were set out with some order and 
regularity ; and at last I concluded that I was in an orchard 
of some kind, and, consequently, could not be far from a 
farm-house and the Lodden. I walked cautiously forward, 
expecting every moment to catch a glimpse of a house and 
outbuildings. I was not disappointed, for through the trees 
I saw a white building, covered with paint or whitewash ; 
and the instant I caught sight of it a dog seemed to have 
noticed me ; for I heard an angry growl, a deep, loud bay, 
and then a brute came rushing towards me, as though desir- 
ous of making a meal of my precious carcass. 


162 


THB BUSBBANGK&S. 


CHAPTER xxm. 

k POOB SHOT. A FBEED FTTGITIVE. — AN OLD PBIEND.-^ 

THE KISS OF WELCOME. 

I THOUGHT what I should do to save my life. If I made a 
fight it was extremely probable that I should come off second 
best, for there were at least seven or eight dogs, and I only 
had six shots in my revolver ; and in the hurry of firing 
I could not kill at every shot, and a miss was death. I 
thought of all these things in a calm manner, while the 
dogs were yelling and searching for me ; but while I thought 
I acted, for through the gloom I saw a huge brute leading 
the pack, bounding along at a pace that proved to me how 
little show I should have if I attempted to run away, or 
trusted to my legs for safety. “ Ow ! owl” howled the 
leader of the pack ; and the others repeated the cry, and 
caught sight of me at the same time. * 

The music they made just at that moment was far from 
agreeable, and it accelerated my motions. I made a spring 
for a branch just over my head, and landed in the crotch 
of the tree. I was none too soon, for the hound which 
I had noticed made the most savage noise, gave a spring 
after me, and came very near taking a bite at one of my 
legs, and all the others followed his example; but I as- 
cended the tree a little higher, and was safe. 

There were nine dogs, four of them hounds, and the 
others mastiffs, all large and all savage ; so, when I looked 
down at them, and spoke to them, the rage which they ex- 
pressed was fearful. But there was one dog that did not 
manifest such a desire to tear me to pieces after the first 
wild spring. It was the huge stag-hound that had led the 
way towards the spot where I stood, and had made the wild 
spring at one of my feet. This dog seemed to act very 
strangely. He sat on his haunches at the foot of the tree, 
looking up at me, his head on one side, as though he did not 


4 ^ 






“I was none too soon, for the hound gave a spring after me." 



Page 162. 








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163 


^ear very perfectly, and wanted a little prompting ; and 
although the rest of the dogs did not relent in their expres- 
sions of Hostility, this old fellow paid no attention to them^ 
but glanced at me, and even wagged his tail, rather slightly, 
however, as though not over-confident in his anticipations. 
After I was securely perched in the top of the tree, — not a 
high one by any means, — I amused myself by talking with 
the dogs ; but the more I talked, the more enraged the 
brutes grew, with the single exception of the stately old 
hound, who uttered subdued growls, stood on his hind legs, 
and snuffed at my feet, or near as he could reach them. At 
last the noble animal seemed to be wearied with the con- 
tinual noise which was heard on all sides ; so with a quiet 
dignity, which was somewhat unexpected, he turned upon 
his companions, gave two or three of them a severe shaking, 
and that started the rest in full retreat, although about two 
rods from the tree they stopped and uttered a chorus of 
howls at such treatment. 

“ Why, old dog, what is the matter with you ? ” I asked. 
“ Do you want to eat me alone ? For shame, at such 
greediness. My old dog Rover would not have served me 
in that manner. He was a sensible animal, and knew a 
friend from a foe.’* 

While I was speaking, the animal at the foot of the tree 
appeared to listen most intently, as though each word that I 
uttered was of value, and when I had concluded, the brute 
seemed frantic with rage, or some other feeling, and jumped 
round the tree in the most astonishing manner, and once or 
twice I feared that he would find a lodgment in the forks of 
the tree. But the noise which the dogs made began to at- 
tract attention, as I supposed it would. I could see, through 
the trees, lights flash from the windows of the house, as 
though the people who inhabited it were alarmed, and about 
to commence an investigation ; and after a short time I 
heard voices, and then some one took aim at the tops of 
the trees, and fired a musket. The ball with which the gun 
was loaded, tore through the branches, and whizzed within a 
rod of my head, much to my disgust. The dogs yelled with 


164 


THE BUSnEANGERS. 


delight at the sound of the gun, and pressed towards my re* 
treat ; but the hound, which still remained near me, turned 
upon them, and drove them back in a savage manner, and 
lay down at the trunk of the tree, and seemed to wait for 
farther developments. I heard men moving near the 
house, and I listened to hear what they had to say for 
themselves. 

They were discussing the best means of finding out hoTf 
the noise originated. I had half a mind to shout for assist- 
ance, and make an explanation of my presence ; but when I 
recollected that it would take some time and trouble to clear 
up matters and prove that I was an honest man, I gave up 
the attempt, and waited for daylight — and I did not have 
long to wait, for from the east came a fiood of light that 
gradually rendered objects more and more distinct, until at 
last I could see house and outbuildings, dogs, and other 
domesticated animals. The dogs were still near me, silent 
and sullen, as though perfectly contented to bide their 
time. 

The huge hound lay at the foot of the tree, looking at me 
with a wishful glance, and wagging his tail every time I 
moved. The rest of the pack kept at a respectful distance. 
I heard no more voices until nearly sunrise, and then men 
assembled in front of the house, and talked over what had 
occurred an hour or two previous. Two of them still in- 
sisted that bushrangers were lurking near, and one of them, 
to test the matter, came towards the tree upon which I 
roosted, but in a sly manner. The dogs went to meet him, 
with the exception of the hound, which stuck to me. I had 
a good chance to look at the fellow as he came towards me 
with a gun in his hand. He was a thick-headed Englishman, 
stout and brawny, with about as much intelligence in his face 
as a well-trained monkey. When the fellow had arrived 
within a rod or two of me, I said, “ Hello, you, sir ! ” 

The clown started, looked up at the tree, and before I 
could add another word, he raised his gun and fired. The 
buckshot with which it was loaded whistled near my head, 
cut off a limb or two, a handful of leaves, but left me unii> 


A FBKBD FUGITIVE. 


161 


jured. The fellow, luckily for me, shut his eyes when he 
pulled the trigger, and thus I escaped. The clown did not 
stop to see what damage he had done, for he turned ab- 
ruptly, ran towards the house, and yelled, “ I’ve killed a 
bushranger ! Tve killed a bushranger ! ” 

“Are you sure that he’s dead?” asked a voice which 
seemed familiar to me, although I could not imagine where 
I had heard it, though I tried to recollect. 

“ 0, yes, I seed him tumble down jist like a calf. I 
dropped him. But come and see for yerself.” 

So I could hear the household making preparations for 
testing the truth of the man’s statement. The women de- 
clared they would not go, and that the men should not move, 
and then instantly changed their minds, as a matter of 
course, and declared that they would not stay behind and be 
murdered by the rascally bushrangers. 

“ 0, but I killed him dead, mum,” cried the confident 
Joe ; and then I heard them approach the tree upon which I 
was perched. If the dogs had not been within a short dis- 
tance of me, I would have slid down and run, for I did not 
want to disgrace the too confiding Joe. But there was no 
help for it. I must meet the man, and incur his hostility, 
just because I did not fall when he aimed at me. 

“ Come on,” shouted the valiant Joe. “ Here’s the budy 
jist ai tne fut of the tree.” 

“ I think you are mistaken,” I remarked ; and the instant 
that I spoke the party uttered a scream, — at least the wo- 
men did, — and turned towards the house. 

“ The man’s alive,” groaned the person whom I took to 
be the owner of the farm. 

‘‘No, sir, no; it’s another of the villains. TU hit him* 
The fust one is down, and the second one soon will be.” 

“ Hold on for one moment,” I shouted. “ Come near me, 
and see that I’m no bushranger. Here, look up into the 
tree.” 

“ How many of you are there in the tree ? ” asked the 
leader of the party. 

“ Fm alone.” 


160 


cTHE BUSHSAN6ESA. 


“ Do you Bpeak the truth ? ” asked one of the ladies, with 
a glance at the house as though half inclined to run. 

“ Do you think I would deceive so amiable a lady as your- 
self?” I asked. 

That little speech settled her business most completely. 

“ I don’t think he’s a bad man,' tne woman remarxea to 
her husband. “Let us go and talk witn him. See, the 
dear old hound does not manifest the least sign of anger.” 

“ Come down,” said the farmer, whose voice sounded 
familiar. 

“ Call off your dogs, and I will.” I answered. 

The dogs were called from the trunk of the tree and 
driven away, and then I descended with as much dignity as 
I could, considering there were two ladies watehing all my 
movements, and commenting on them. Mother Brown’s 
outer garment was on my head, where I had kept it for the 
purpose of keeping mosquitos at bay; consequently my 
face was not seen until I touched the ground ; and when I 
did, the huge hound, whose attention had been marked, 
made a spring for my neck ; and such was his impetuosity, 
that I was thrown down, and expected to have my flesh torn 
in a terrible manner; but instead of such treatment, the 
animal licked my face and hands, and seemed overjoyed to 
see me. 

^‘Kover, come here,” shouted the farmer. “The dog 
will kill the poor fellow.” 

At the sound of that name I recollected in an instant the 
reason of the dog’s extraordinary behavior. The animal 
knew me much better than I did him, and even in the dark 
he had recognized my voice, although we had not met for 
several years. At length I was enabled to gain my feet and 
look around. I saw that the ladies were somewhat surprised 
at what had passed, and that the bluff, farmer -like person 
who led the party was staring at me with two gray eyes ex- 
tended to their utmost dimensions. 

“ Is it possible r ” yelled the yeDow-haired, freckled-faced 
farmer, his eyes roiling as though their owner was in danger 
cf expiring in a flt. 


THU KISS OF WBLCOMK. 


167 


“ Husband ! ” shrieked the lady ; “ 0, what is the mat- 
ter ? ” 

“Jack! ” cried the farmer, with outstretched hand. He 
smiled as he spoke, and then I knew him. 

“ Smith ! ” I exclaimed, and rushed towards him. 

The farmer threw his arms around me, pressed me to his 
heart, raised me from the ground, and then suddenly 
dropped me, and rushed towards his wife. Seizing her hand, 
he dragged her towards me, much to the poor woman’s sur- 
prise, while her companion appeared to regard Smith in the 
light of a jolly lunatic. 

“ Wife,” cried the enthusiastic Smith, placing her directly 
in front of me, “ put your arms around this gentleman’s 
neck and kiss him.” 

The poor woman looked a little startled at such a com- 
mand, and began to think that her husband was hopelessly 
insane. 

“ Kiss him,” roared Smith. 

“ But, husband,” the wife said, “ only think what you are 
asking me to do.” 

“ Wife,” cried the farmer, “ you have heard me say that 
to two Americans I owe all my happiness, all my property, 
even my life. This is* one of the men. Now will you kiss 
him ? ” 

The woman, with a most grateful look, threw her arms 
around my neck and kissed me on each cheek. As she was 
a good-looking woman I just retaliated by kissing her on 
her lips, and then released her. 

“ Kiss the other one — my wife’s sister,” cried Smith. 

I had no objections, not in the least, for the girl was a 
splendid specimen of English blood, with blue eyes, brown 
hair, clear skin, and plump form. I advanced a pace for 
the purpose of saluting her ; but the gypsy, with a coquet- 
tish laugh, turned on her heel and fled towards the house. 

“ Stop ! ” roared Smith. 

The girl paid no attention to him. 

“ If you don’t stop you shall never have a husband 1 ^ 
cried the farmer. 


168 


THE BUSHRANQEES. 


At this terrible threat the young lady suddenly stopped, 
looked at us with a saucy glance, and then turned and ran 
towards the house, laughing in a jolly manner, as though she 
would like to see me kiss her, or any other man attempt it. 

“ Come to the house,” said Smith, as soon as he could 
gain breath after his welcome. “ You need some breakfast, 
and a change of clothing. Come.” 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

A.N AUSTBALIAN FAEMEU’s EXPEBIENCE. HIS WIFE AND 

FAMILY. — BUSHRANGEKS IN PURSUIT. BARRICADED. 

As we walked towards the house, it seemed as though 
Smith could not control his joy ; while his wife looked a little 
thoughtful as she witnessed the demonstrations of her husband. 

“ To think that we should see you of all persons in the 
world,” Smith said. 

“But tell me how it happens that you are in such a 
plight ? Why are your clothes soiled, and how came you 
in a tree instead of the house ? You knew where I lived.” 

“ No, I didn’t,” I answered, with a laugh. “ I hadn’t the 
slightest idea that you were residing within a hundred miles 
of me. I was shaping my course for the Lodden as fast as 
possible, when I tumbled against your orchard fence, and 
from the fence I went to a tree to escape from the fangs of 
your dogs, for all appeared desirous of tasting my flesh, with 
the single exception of Rover, and his conduct was so 
strange that I did not know what to make of it.” 

“ Ah, he’s a noble dog,” remarked Smith ; “ but I sup- 
pose, now that you have returned to the country, that I can 
no longer claim him as my own.” 

“We will settle that question by and by,” I replied. 
“ Ah, here is the house. Why, what a pleasant place you 
have secured for yourself and family ! This is indeed a home, 
and has the comforts of one. A man must be happy here.” 


AS AUSTRALIAN FARMER’S EXFERIENCB. 


169 


“ W'e should be,” IMrs. Smith said, “ if the country was 
free of bushrangers ; but the wretches bother us to death. 
They rob our orchards and gardens, kill our sheep and 
wound our cattle, and if we venture to remonstrate, they 
tlureaten to burn our house and murder us. What can we do ?” 

“ In our day,” Smith cried, rubbing his hinds at the rec- 
ollection of such stirring times, “ we never gave the rascals 
a chance to threaten ; we chased them from point to point, 
and gave them no rest. Ah, those were glorious days, were 
they not ? If Murden had a command, we should soon be 
free from the presence of bushrangers.” 

He has a command,” I answered, “ and is near us ; but 
where I can’t tell. I got separated from him a few days 
since, and that separation nearly cost me my life. I am in 
hope of meeting him and his command in the course of a few 
hours, and then we’ll sweep the bushrangers beyond the 
Lodden.” 

“ And will you give me a chance with you ? ” demanded 
Smith, in an earnest tone. 

I glanced at his wife’s face, and saw that it expressed her 
heart’s fears. 

“ No,” I said, “ we want no married men. They should 
remain at home and attend to their families. You have done 
your share of work. Leave us single men to complete it.” 

“ Perhaps your friend would like to change his clothes,” 
Mrs. Smith said to her husband. “ I am sure you can fur- 
nish him a suit, such as it is.’* 

“ To be sure I can. Come this way.” 

While I was dressing, my old friend told me all that had 
transpired during my absence from Australia ; and we were 
itill conversing when Mrs. Smith interrupted us with the in- 
formation that breakfast was ready. 

As I entered the room I saw that both women looked at 
me quite sharp, to see what effect clean clothes and soap and 
water had on my appearance. Although my garments were 
far from fitting me, yet I looked well enough in them to 
please the ladies, for they exchanged glances, as much as to 
say, “ He’ll do ; ” and then it struck me that >Irs. Smith was 


170 


THB fiUSHBANGEBS. 


more than ever convinced that I would make a giutahle 
match for her sister. I thought that the latter, as she 
took her place at the breakfast table, was more attractive 
than the married lady, for she looked fresh, plump, and 
young, not being more than eighteen years of age. It must 
be confessed that Smith knew how to entertain his guests 
with genuine English hospitality. He had on the table 
broiled duck (the creeks and streams of Australia abound 
with water fowl), fried eggs, cold chicken, toast, and excel- 
lent coffee, while the butter was as fresh and hard as the 
best that comes from Vermont. 

“ I tell you what,” said Smith, as we took our places at 
the table, “ this is different fare from what we used to get 
when we were stalking bushrangers.” 

“ Pray don’t allude to those days,” said the wife ; “ I 
have heard enough of them. I expect every hour that you 
will start off on a tramp.” 

“ Well,” replied Smith, “ I don’t know but I should like 
it. There was some life and excitement in the danger, after 
all. Don’t you think so?” and he nodded his head to- 
wards me. 

“We never understood how much real danger there was 
until after the excitement was over. Now, for instance, we 
often — ” 

I was interrupted by the entrance of Joe, the genius who 
had fired at me and missed while I was perched in the tree. 
The fellow was laboring under some excitement, for his face 
was flushed, and his eyes looked as large as saucers. 

“ They is cornin’,” he cried. “ I seed ’em.” 

“ Who are coming ? ” asked Smith. 

“ The bushrangers.” 

We all jumped from the table, and the ladies began tf 
scream, as was to be expected from them. 

“We shall be murdered!” they cried, and then com- 
menced kissing the baby’s nose ; and as they were under 
some excitement at the time, of course it was communicated 
to the child; so the young one joined his lungs to the 
women’s, and for % moment we had lively music. 


BUSHBANQERS IN FURSmT. 


1 


I led the ^ay to the piazza, where we could command a 
view of the valley, the same one which I had stumbled 
through the night before, and there we saw ten horsemen 
approaching the house at a gallop. At first I thought it was 
Murden and his party, and I was delighted at the idea of 
meeting the commissioner and Hezekiah Hopeful, my New 
Hampshire friend, who, no doubt, thought me dead ; but a 
careful scrutiny did not reveal the blue coats and bright but- 
tons of the police. 

“ Smith,” I said, “ those fellows are bushrangers, and 
they are in pursuit of me.” 

“ Well,” answered Smith, with a touch of the old times in 
his air, “ let ’em come on. We’ll show ’em that we hasn’t 
forgot how to shoot.” 

“ But there are ten of them.” 

“ And we can muster but four,” answered the farmer. 
“ The odds ain’t so much, arter all. Bob, get the rifles out 
of the bedroom, and muster all of the ammunition. Where’s 
Moloch?” 

“ He’s set the natives to drivin’ off the stock. He’ll be 
here in a minute.” 

“ Is it not better,” I asked, “ that I should leave the 
house, and take to the bush ? There’s yet time for me. By 
that means you wiU escape all trouble and damage.” 

“ You stay here, beneath the shelter of my roof,” cried 
Smith, “ and as long as I has one, you is welcome to it. 
We will make a stand if they is disposed to fight, and see 
which party can hit the hardest. Do you mind that ? ” 

Just at this moment Moloch made his appearance. He 
had been running, and was out of breath. 

“ Have the natives driven off the horses and cattle ? ” 
asked Smith. 

“ Yes ; they is aU in the bush by this time.” 

“ Then come in.” 

“ First close the doors of the stable, and fasten them,” I 
said. 

“That can be done on the inside. We can reach the 
•table from the house.” 


THE BUSHRANGEES. 


“ So mucli the better. You have outside shutters to youf 
windows, have you not ? ’* 

“ Yes, of course. During some of our gales glass stands 
no show in keeping the wind out.” 

“ Then close the shutters, hut do it carefully, so that the 
bushrangers will not notice the act.” 

“ And the women and baby, what shall we do with them ? ” 
asked Smith. 

“ Put them down cellar, and tell them to keep as quiet as 
possible.” 

Away went Smith to conduct his wife and her sister to a 
safe place, while Moloch closed the shutters, and Joe brought 
me the rifles and pistols found in Smith’s bedroom. As 
soon as I had examined the firearms, I looked for the bush- 
rangers, and saw that they were near the orchard fence, had 
halted, and were consulting together, as though devising the 
best means for capturing the house and contents. 

“ Good,” I thought. “ Only give us a few moments to 
prepare, and we’ll be ready to receive you in a becoming 
manner.” 

“ Shall I load the guns ? ” asked Joe, as he laid a pile of 
ammunition on the table near me. 

“ Yes, and be sure that you aim better than when you 
fired at me. We must waste neither time nor shot in case 
we are attacked.” 

“ Then I won’t shut my eyes when I pull the trigger,” 
Joe remarked, with a grin that showed his capacious mouth 
to its fullest extent. Just at this moment, Smith joined us. 

‘‘ Here comes the fiends,” he cried ; “ and that big scamp 
of a Keeler is at their head.” 

I looked out and saw that such was the case. They had 
thrown down the fence, and were galloping through the 
orchard. 

“ Shall I give ’em a shot ? ” whispered Smith. “ I can 
Idt one of ’em as easy as I could take a drink.” 

“No; let them commence hostilities. We shan’t havt 
to wait long.” 


[A 8KIEMISH WITH THE BU8HB ANGERS. 


17a 


CHAPTER XXV. 

A gKIBMISH WITH THE BUSHRANGERS. — OUR DEFENCE. — 
ATTEMPT TO BURN THE HOUSE. 

As the rascals dismounted, I saw, to my intense disgust, 
that among the horses were the four which Keeler had 
stolen from the police, near Webber’s station, a few days 
before. There was but one loop-hole in the shutter, and my 
eyes were applied to that, watching the motions of the bush- 
rangers, and calculating our strength and the strength of the 
robbers, when Smith whispered, — 

“ What is they doin’ now ? Can’t you give me a chance 
at ’em ? Let me see what they is up to.” 

“ Keep quiet,” I replied, “ or you will spoil all my plans ; ” 
just as though I had a plan, which I had not, for I intended 
to be governed by circumstances. 

This kept all of them quiet until Keeler reached the 
door. He tried to open it, but found that it wr.s fastened 
on the inside ; and although the brawny robber put his shoul- 
der to the door, yet he could not move it in the least, for 
three good oak bars were across it in addition to a bolt. 

“ You rascally Englishman,” roared the fellow, “ show 
your red face, and tell us where that rascally spy is con- 
cealed. He’s in your house ; so you had better give him up. 
It will be all the better for you.” 

No reply was made to this demand, although Smith ex- 
pressed a wish to shoot some one in short order. 

“ They have all run for it,” said the young bushranger, 
who had assisted me to escape. 

' No,” replied Keeler, with a terrible oath, “ they are in 
the house. Do you not see the smoke from the chimney ? 
They are in there, and must come out.” And then the fel- 
low raised his voice and shouted, “ Smith, you beer-drinking 
vagabond, if you don’t give us that spy, I’U take your pretty 
wife and sister and hang them.” 


174 


THE BUSHBANGEES. 


“ Give me a chance at the brute,” cried my old friend, 
rendered perfectly frantic at the threat. “ He shall never 
live to repeat those words ! ” 

“ Keep cool,” I whispered. “ Go into the next room, and 
get ready for a shot. Pick your man, and make sure of 
him. Let Joe and Moloch do the same. We can’t touch 
Keeler, for he is screened by the house ; but we can reach 
his gang. Now, then, be lively, and let me know when you 
are ready.” 

“ I am ready,” cried Smith, a few minutes afterwards. 

“ Aim carefully,” I said ; “ but don’t harm that young, 
careless-looking fellow with the red shirt. He has shown 
me a kindness, and Pll repay it.” 

“ Why, that is the one I was arter,” cried Joe, in a tone 
of surprise. 

“ Then keep aimin’ at him, ’cos he’ll be safe enough,” 
chuckled Smith. 

Just then I had a fair mark, and I gave the word to fire. 
Pour guns were discharged ; but only two men fell, shot 
through the breast. I had no doubt that Joe and Moloch 
had missed ; for I was certain of my aim, and Smith, I knew, 
was a fair marksman. 

“ We have waked ’em up,” cried Keeler, in a calm tone, 
as though nothing unusual had happened ; and then the fellow 
gave a bound, and took shelter behind a tree, while every 
bushranger disappeared from sight as suddenly as though 
swallowed by the earth, leaving the two bodies of the dead 
exposed to view, lying upon their backs, with their glazed 
eyes glaring at the sun. 

“ Have we licked ’em ? ” asked Smith, as he entered th« 
room where I was reconnoitring through the loop-hole. 

“ No, the rascals wiU seek for revenge. They have not 
yet got enough of it.” 

At that moment I saw one of the bushrangers leave the 
shelter of the orchard, and advance towards the house, waving 
at the same time a white flag. 

“ What is wanted ? ” I asked, and opened the shutter a 
I’ttle, so that I could converse more freely. 


OUB DEFENCE. 


175 


“ The captain of our gang,” the bushranger replied, “ is 
anxious t ) save blood and respect the property of the stock- 
man who lives here. lie has, therefore, directed me to 
make this proposition : to throw open your doors and admit 
his men, and surrender the spy who has taken refuge under 
your roof. By complying with these demands, you wUl be 
left in peace.” 

“ And in case of refusal ? ” I asked. 

“ Then your buildings will be burned, and your stock 
driven off, your wife and sister murdered, and your grounds 
laid waste.” 

“ These are hard conditions,” I remarked. 

“ We have no others to give.” 

The bushranger was about to turn away, but stopped and 
asked, “ Can I remove these two bodies ? ” 

“ Yes, take them away. You will have to remove others 
if you make an attack.” 

The bushrangers were too shrewd to dash against the 
house and end their lives without accomplishing certain re- 
sults, and I knew that Keeler was too able a chieftain to ex- 
pose his men in an unnecessary manner. Although he oared 
nothing for their lives, or how much blood was shed, still he 
knew that it was hard work to recruit his gang with proper 
men ; so he had no desire to lose what he had. But I had 
hardly closed my shutter and stepped back, anticipating what 
would occur, than a shower of bullets struck the window, 
and sent a number of splinters into the apartment. For 
fifteen minutes the bushrangers remained so quiet that Smith 
began to think they had gone ; but I knew better. 

“ Moloch,” I said, “ go to the other end of the house, and 
see if you can discover what the bushrangers are doing in that 
quarter. Mind and not let them obtain a glimpse of you.” 

“ No fear of that,” responded the man, and left me. 

“Joe, you make your way to the stable, and bring me 
word if anything is transpiring in that quarter. Now, look 
sharp.” 

“ Smith,” I said, — for I saw that he was shaking for the 
safety of his wife, — “I will leave the house, and run for my 


176 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


life. You can then say that I am not here, and permit one 
or two of the bushrangers to search the buildings to virify 
the statement. Perhaps that will satisfy them, and they wiD 
leave you in peace.” 

“ Jack,” said the stockman, “ I really believe you’d do as 
you say ; but I won’t hear of it. We is in the same boat, 
old boy, and we’ll sink or swim together. That’s what we’ll 
do. We has seen too much of life together to falter now 
You has allers stuck by me, and now we’ll all stick together.’ 

He extended his hand as he spoke, and we shook hands 
most heartily. 

“ Yes,” I said, “ we’U die together or defeat the rascals. 
As long as I have life. I’ll protect the ladies. We have been 
in worse positions than this, and escaped.” 

Just then Joe returned from his inspection of the field 
near the stable. 

“ I could see ’em,” he said, “ in the orchard ; but they 
wasn’t doing nothin’, except cuttin’ off the branches of a tree 
what they has tumbled down.” 

“ Ha ! now I understand their game, and will prepare to 
check them. Come with me, and tread softly,” I said. 

Connected with the stable and the house was a passage- 
way, covered, to protect those who passed from one building 
to another from the heavy winter rains. Down stairs we 
went, through the passage-way, to the stable, not making the 
least noise in our progress; and after we had reached it, 
we crept to the loft and looked out. 

“ What do they mean to do ? ” asked Smith, after a brief 
survey of the bushrangers’ proceedings. “ They appear to 
be amusing themselves in some way.” 

“ And they will amuse us in a few minutes, or Pm much 
mistaken. Now, then, look to your rifles.” 

I saw the rascals raise the tree which they had been 
trimming, and direct their steps towards the stable door. 

“ Smith,” I said, as I cocked my rifle, “ you take the man 
cn the right, and I will take care of the chap with the fero- 
cious whiskers, on the left. Moloch and Joe cap fire at whom 
they please.” 







»■ 










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'•-* .- _*: . . . •-.- rr-^ 




AN ATTEMPT TO BURN THE HOtTSE. 


177 


“All rigHt,” was the cry, and we poked our rifles through 
the mud openings, took deliberate aim, and fired. 

The two foremost bushrangers plunged forward, let go 
their hold of the piece of timber, and fell upon the ground, 
face downward. The joist fell from the hands of the othe^ 
four; for, of course, Joe and Moloch missed, as wo sup- 
^ posed they would. The uninjui-ed men turned, and, with 9 
bound, took shelter behind the trees in the orchard. 

For half an hour I remained in the stable, watching for 
the bushrangers to make another dash ; but they did not. I 
could neither see nor hear them. They appeared to have 
left the orchard, although it was impossible to tell if such 
was^ the case, for they were as crafty as North American 
Indians, and about as savage. I had sent Smith and his 
men to other parts of the buildings, for the purpose of keep- 
ing me informed if any demonstratiou was intended in those 
quarters, and it was lucky that such was the case ; for Smith 
rushed into the stable with the information that the bush- 
rangers had appeared at the back of the house, and that 
they were piling up dry branches against the building. 

“ That means,” I said, “ that they intend to burn us out. 
Now comes our real danger. Do the windows command a 
view of the robbers ? ” 

Smith scratched his head as he answered, “ There ain’t no 
windows at the back part of the house. A carpenter who 
built that portion said that I’d better not put ’em in, ’cos I’d 
find the light too strong for my eyes.” 

“ And you listened to such advice ? ” I asked. 

“ Of course. I s’posed he knowed better than me.” 

“ Your indifference will cost us dear,” I remarked. “ If 
we had windows to use — ” 

“ But as wo ain’t got ’em we’ll have to do as well as W6 
can,” replied Smith, with more spirit than I ever gave him 
credit for. 

“ Right ; so come with me, and show me the danger. We 
must try to overcome it.” 

Ho led the way to the back part of the hous>-* ; but there 
were no windows for us to look through. All of those useful 


178 


THE BUSHBANGEES, 


contrivances were in front. I glanced around the apart- 
ment, and saw that it had been used as a store-room, that it 
was adjoining the kitchen, and on the first floor. My mind 
was soon made up, and I decided upon my course of action. 
Although I could not hope to save the building, I could pre- 
vent the fire burning very briskly. In the kitchen was a 
pump, and around the pump were half a dozen wooden 
buckets, great clumsy things, of Australian manufacture. 

“ Set Joe and Moloch to pumping water,” I said. 

“ For what purpose ? ” 

“ Ask no questions, but work. Here, out with your bowie- 
knife, and enlarge this crack. Don’t spare the wood-work 
of your building ; for your exertions may be the means of 
saving the house itself.” 

Where we commenced cutting a hole, the bushrangers had 
piled up brush so high that our operations were covered. 
Smith and I were working hard at our tasks, when bang, 
bang, went two muskets in front of us, and the balls struck 
the wood-work of the house, after tearing through the brush, 
and entered the room where we were engaged. The rascals 
had heard us operating, and took that method of letting us 
know that they were awake. No sooner was our work com- 
pleted, than smoke commenced circling through the opening. 

“Bring on the water!” I cried, and dashed bucketful 
after bucketful on the brush, and by this means was enabled to 
keep the flames in check i but I saw that unless we could work 
from the outside, we should have to give up all hope of 
saving the house. 

“ Throw on the water, Smith,” I said; “I will return in a 
few minutes.” 

I took a rifle and ascended the stairs, dashed open one of 
the windows, in hopes of reaching the fire or the bushrangers ; 
but I found that it was impossible, and for a moment I al- 
lowed my eyes to wander over the valley through which the 
Lodden flowed, and then I saw something that made my 
heart beat fast, and I could not repress a shout of joy as I 
put my cip upon the ramrod of my rifle, and waved it in 
token of recognition. 


AKRITAL OF MUKDEN AND HIS MEN. 


179 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

4KRIVAI. OP MUKDEN AND HIS MEN. GnBLEAT JOT OF HOPE- 
FUL. THE FIKE SUBDUED. CHANGE OP MIND. 

My expressions of joy were answered by some ten or 
twelve men on horseback, who were advancing towards the 
house. Yet they did not quicken their pace when they 
heard me cheer, simply because they supposed that it was a 
salute of welcome on the part of Smith ; for the men I was 
prepared to greet with open arms wore the uniform of the 
Melbourne police, and I strongly suspected that I saw Mur- 
den and his party, although I could not be positive of it. 
Most of the police knew Smith, and stopped at his house 
when they passed near it. This I knew, but I was in despaii 
at the slow manner in which the men moved, knowing as 
they did what a generous welcome they would receive ; so 
I waved my cap, and yelled for them to hurry along, all of 
which they answered by one or two yells, but walked theii 
horses as before. 

“ Confound them ! ” I muttered, in a tone of intense bit- 
terness, “ why don’t they dash up to the door and capture 
the bushrangers who are in the rear of the house? We 
shall be burned out before they reach the yard.” 

Once more I yelled and gesticulated with my hands, 
pointing to the smoke, which began to curl around the roof 
of the house, a sure indication that the fire was making 
headway. At last my cries seemed to attract some atten- 
tion. I saw one of the party point with his hands to the 
smoke, and then I saw Murden, — for I could now make him 
out, — turn in his saddle, and give an order, and then strike 
his horse with his spurs ; and although the animal did not 
respond very readily, yet a rather tame sort of gallop was 
she result, and aU came limping towards the house, as though 
the brutes were knocked up with a long journey, and were 
foot-sore in consequence. Not till then did I leave the win- 


180 


THB BUSHRANGERS. 


dow and run to the room where Smith and his stockmen 
were at work. The apartment was filled with smoke, and 
the men were rubbing their eyes incessantly, instead of 
pouring on water, as I had directed when I left the room. 

“Why ain’t you at work ?” I demanded, as soon as I saw 
the state cf affairs. 

“Work!” repeated Smith, rubbing his eyes, and cough- 
ing as though likely to burst a blood-vessel ; “ what in the 
world’s the use of working when we are smoked like a ham, 
and shed tears like whipped schoolboys ? We can hardly 
breathe, much less work.” 

I knew that it was useless to talk with a man who had 
made up his mind that the house must burn down ; so I 
seized a pail of water, ran to the door, slipped the bolt, and 
was just about to step into the yard, when Smith threw his 
arms around me. 

“ Don’t go there ! ” he cried ; “ you’ll be shot if you do. 
Let the house burn and welcome, but don’t you let the bush- 
rangers kill you. My wife has made up her mind that you 
will make a good husband for her sister, and I darscn’t dis- 
appoint her.” 

“ Let him do it,” growled Moloch, “ and then he won’t 
crow no more round here,” while Joe offered to go out and 
“ pitch in,” if the fight was a fair one, and he could be as- 
sured of meeting man for man, and no underhanded cutting 
with knives, which he didn’t consider the true English style 
of fighting. 

I dashed at the fire, and by the aid of a stick was enabled 
to tear some of the brush down ; but still the flames burned 
brightly, and threatened to give trouble unless I had help 
And a few buckets of water. But there was no time to lose. 

“ Bring me some water ; ” I yelled, and the shout was the 
means' of arousing Smith to a sense of his duty. 

“ I won’t see my old friend perish without help,” he cried, 
and sprang into the yard, ran to the back part of the house, 
saw how I was engaged, and after one ejaculation of “ 0, 
what a huge fool I am ! ” ran back for water. 

In the mean time the police had arrived in the front yard, 


THE FIRE SUBDUED. 


181 


and dismounted, but found, to tbeir surprise, that the door 
was closed and locked, and that the window shutters were 
securely fastened. Murden did not know what to make of 
it, and just as the men were about visiting all the outbuild- 
ings in search of the folks, they heard me shout for Smith 
and men to “ come on.” 

“ Forward ! ” shouted the commissioner, suddenly turning 
to his men ; and at the word they struck their horses and 
tore through the yard, over flowers and garden beds, the 
pets of the women, without the slightest regard to damages. 

I was busily engaged in raking down the brush, when 
Hez turned the corner of the house and saw me. He gave 
one yell, and threw his arms around my neck. 

“ You is alive and well ! ” he cried ; and then he saw at a 
glance the work which I had before me. He released his 
embrace, and dashed at the fire like a madman, to the intense 
astonishment of Smith, who gazed at the poor fellow with 
wide-expanded eyes and open mouth. 

“ If I had only time,” muttered Hez, as ho threw the 
flaming sticks to the right and left, “ I could make a machine 
what would squash the whole thing in the waggin* of a 
dog’s tail ; but as I ain’t got time, why, I must make my 
boots do.” 

Just as he had arrived at this wise conclusion, around the 
corner came Murden and his troop. The commissioner 
comprehended matters at a glance. 

“ Dismount ! ” he yelled ; and off tumbled his men, and 
rushed towards the fire. 

“ Bring water, some of you ! ” was the next order the police 
received ; and without the least confusion or delay the men 
separated, some for water, and some for long poles to rake 
the fire from the house. 

Somehow or other I was edged away from the flames, as 
though I had done enough, while the police took my place, 
but said not a word respecting the strange meeting. They 
were too well drilled for that. They knew that with them 
it was duty first and questions afterwards. 

Leaving the crowd to trample out the last vestige of fir^ 


182 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


I entered the house, and found my way to the cellar. Down 
the steps I went, feeling my way, for the place was rather 
dark, but when I had reached the foot of the stairs I felt a 
pair of arms thrown around my neck, and Miss Amelia’s face 
was laid close to mine as she exclaimed, — 

“ 0, brother, is it all over with us ? ” 

“ Not quite,” I replied ; “ but I wish it was, if you would 
only keep your arms around my neck. I think that it ia 
very pleasant to have them so near me.” 

The young girl uttered a little scream, and withdrew her 
arms. 

“ 0, she said, “ I thought it was John. Pray forgive 
me.” 

“ With much pleasure. Any time you wish to repeat the 
affair, I shall submit without a murmur. Don’t feel ashamed 
on my account.” 

“ Thank you for your kindness,” she said in a tone that 
betokened the least degree of offended pride, and by the 
little light that streamed down the stairway I could see her 
toss her pretty head as though she would never commit 
another such act. 

“ Do not be angry, Amelia,” said Mrs. Smith, coming for- 
ward with her child in her arms. “ The gentleman is not 
to blame for the embrace. But he comes to us with news. 
Is my husband well? Do not tell me that some accident 
has befallen him.’' 

“ I am happy to inform you that JMr. Smith is xminjured, 
that the bushrangers have fled, that a large police force is 
near the house, and they are hungry and need some re- 
freshments.” 

“Heavens! they will eat us out of house and home,” 
cried the impetuous Amelia. “I never saw such gluttons 
as those officers are ; and so impudent, too. They always 
look at me as though they would eat me.” 

“ You must regard that in the light of a compliment,” X 
said. “It is not often that the poor fellows see such 
a fresh-looking face as yours ; so they can’t help staring a 
little. But this time they are really hungry.” 


GBEAT JOY OF HOPEFUL. 


m 


“Yee; I never saw policemen who were not hungry. 
But I suj pose that I must endure the men’s staring, although 
I wish they wouldn’t look at me in such a manner. Is that 
odious commissioner with them ? ” 

“ Yes, Mr. Murden is with the force.” 

“ Then there won’t be much peace for me. He’s ai 
awful tease. I wish he wouldn’t come here. I suppose 1 
must see him.” 

“ Of course,” I replied, knowing that she was only talking 
fcr effect, as many young girls do. “We are indebted to 
him and his men for house and life. Had he not come to 
the rescue just as he did, we should have fared badly.” 

“ But I thought that you were to beat the fellows off,” 
tass Amelia said. 

“We were doing all that we could towards it,” I an- 
swered. 

“ 0 ! ” and the young lady sighed, as though resigned to 
her fate ; “ if that is the case I suppose that I must endure 
the presence of that Murden and his men. But I hope he 
won’t pay me any compliments.” 

At the door I met Hez and Murden. The fire was extin- 
guished, and they were wiping their heated faces after their 
late exertions. 

“ Only think,” said Hopeful, almost blubbering with joy 
at the meeting, “ I thought you dead. I’ll be rammed, 
jammed, and hung up to dry, ef I didn’t. I s’posed the 
fiends had killed yer, and then what would have come of 
our partnership ? ” 

“ 0, we should have re-formed in the other world,” I 
answered. 

“ Yes,” laughed Hez ; “ but darn ef I want to go to t’other 
world jist yet. I want to see Martha fust, and marry her 
ef I can.” 

“ And I hope that you will accomplish your designs, for I 
am sure they are honest,” I remarked, as Murden came for- 
ward and gave my hand a hearty shake. 

“ I Anew you would turn up,” the commissioner said. “ I 
did not give you up, although Hez told me that he waa 


tHS: BtJSfiRANGiefiS. 


m 

certain yon were lost to this world. But where have joti 
been, and what is the occasion of this fire ? ” 

“ It means,” I answered, “ that a few minutes since hlr. 
Keeler and his gang were near the house, and had extended 
a pressing invitation to us to come out. We declined ; con- 
sequently the rascals fired at us, and then fired the house. 
If you had not come up just as you did, we should have ex- 
perienced hot work, and perhaps been browned like roast 
ducks.” 

** Keeler near us ? ” cried Murden, in a state of intense 
agitation. “ The very man Fm after. Why did you not 
say so before ? ” and the commissioner put his silver whistle 
to his lips, and blew a shrill blast, which brought his me® 
around the corner with a rush. Lieutenant Maurice at their 
head, pistol in hand, as though some great danger threatened. 

“ What’s the matter ? ” gasped Maurice. 

“ Keeler ! Keeler! Keeler ! ” shouted Murden. 

“ Where ? ” roared the men, looking in all directions, and 
cocking their pistols. 

This question Murden was unable to answer ; so he had to 
look to me for the information. 

“ The bushrangers,” I said, in a slow, deliberate tone, 
“ are about three miles from here, and galloping like mad 
towards the Black Forest.” 

“ To horse ! ” yelled Murden ; “ we can overtake them.” 

The men rushed for their animals, which were tired, and 
almost unable to move without the influence of the spur. I 
let the police mount, and did not utter a word in opposition. 
I sat and looked at them, and just as they gathered up their 
reins, Murden noticed that I had not joined them. 

“ You’ll come with us, won’t you ? ” asked Murden, in a 
tone of surprise. 

“ No, not to-day.” 

Not a man of the squad but looked disappointed. They 
had anticipated a different result. 

“ And why not ? ” asked Murden, apparently a little 9’ex«4 
%t my refusal. 

“ Because I’m a Yankee,” I answered. 


CHANGE OF MIND. 


181 


“ But, hang it, man,*’ cried the commissioner, ^ Yankee* 
are not cowards, and that’s no reason why you should not 
go with us.” 

“ As you say, Yankees are not cowards, but when they 
undertake anything, they wish to win. They study all the 
chances, and never start on a chase unless they can see suc- 
cessful results.” 

“And you think that our pursuit will amount to nothing ? ” 
asked the commissioner. 

“Just so.” 

“ And will you please give me a reason for such a saga 
conclusion ? ” 

“ Half a dozen, if you desire them.” 

“ One will do.” 

“ Well, then, look to your horses. How many miles have 
you travelled within the last twenty-four hours ? ” 

“ Between sixty and seventy.” 

“ And you think they are in perfect condition to overtake 
bushrangers who are mounted upon fresh horses, and the 
best ones to be found in the country ? Remember they 
never steal poor animals.” 

I saw the commissioner’s face change. He began to com- 
prehend me. 

“ Let your horses rest for a few hours — let your men re- 
cover from their fatigue, and then we will start on an expe- 
dition that will result to your satisfaction.” 

The police looked their gratitude, although they did not 
dare to utter a word. But they thought I was right, never- 
theless. 

“ Be content, for the present, to know that we have killed 
four bushrangers, and recovered the four horses stolen 
from the police, and a fifth that belonged to some one 
else.” 

The commissioner opened his eyes to their widest extent, 
and then shouted, “ Dismount ! ” and as the men touched 
the ground, I led them through the orchard to the spot where 
I could see horses, and where I knew the dead bushrangeri 
were lying. 


186 


THE BUBHBANGEBS. 


CHAPTER xxvn. 

HEAD BUSHBAITGEES. — HOPEFUL AND AMELIA.— A WARN- 
ING. OLD LOVE FORGOTTEN. 

When we were defending the house from the murderouB 
fcttack of the bushrangers, and had succeeded in killing four 
of them, I knew it was not a peculiarity of the rascals to 
care for their dead or wounded, time being too valuable to 
stop and bury the defunct or succor the injured ; so when I 
law the bushrangers drag the dead bodies away, I knew 
they would leave them near the house, or just beyond the 
reach of our fire. I was therefore pretty confident that my 
statement would prove true, for I had seen that four horses 
were in the orchard, and I knew our troublesome visitors 
would not take those which the dead men rode, as speed was 
something of a consideration with the fellows in their re- 
treat, not knowing how hard the police would pursue them. 

“If you have killed four of Keeler’s gang,” said the 
commissioner in a tone that showed he had some little 
doubt of the statement, “ and have saved our police horses, 
you have done us an immense benefit, and redeemed our 
name. But lead the way, and let us have a glimpse of the 
bodies.” 

I led the way through the orchard, all hands following 
close to my heels, while Rover stalked by my side, the noble 
hound refusing to leave me even for a moment; and he also 
declined the friendship which the rest of the pack proffered 
in my behalf, as though he had no notion of sharing my 
affections with any other dog. We stopped for a moment 
to examine the horses which the .bushrangers had left be- 
hind. As I expected, three of them belonged ‘to the police, 
and the other was an animal stolen from White’s farm, on 
the Murrumbridgee, judging from the brand on the brute’s 
flank. All four of the animals were exhausted, and that 
was why they were left behind. A few yards beyond the 


\ DEAD BUSHBANGEES. — HOPEFUL AND AMELIA. 187 

horses we came to the dead bodies of the bushrangers, their 
faces covered with flies, which hovered around them in count- 
less numbers. 

“Well, get some spades, two or three of you,” ssid the 
commissioner, “and make a hole and tumble them in. 
We’ll give them a burial at any rate, and thus disappoint the 
vultures ; ” and with these words we turned and waJkcd to- 
wards the house. 

“ Where have you been ? Why didn’t you join us ? ” re- 
sumed Murden. “ Give me a history of your adventures, 
while I have time to listen to them without interruption.” 

“ One question first,” cried Hez, who had listened to our 
conversation with breathless interest. “ Did you see any 
gold specimens durin* your tramp ?_ We come here for the 
dosh, you know, and not to kill people.” 

“I have not thrown away my time,” I answered. “Be 
content with what is to come.” 

y That depends upon what is to come,” returned Hopeful. 
“ I’d ruther fight gold-bearin’ quartz rock than those sneak- 
in’ thieves what jumps on you before you knows it, and cuts 
yer throat jist as though yer was a pig instead of a human 
bein’. Now I — ” He stopped suddenly, and stared with 
open eyes towards the house, 

I followed the direction of his glance, and saw the coquet- 
tish Uliss Amelia Copey near the door, with red ribbons on 
her dress and several flowers in her hair ; and altogether she 
looked much better than when I first saw her, or when she 
made a slight mistake, and threw herself into my arms, and 
gave me several very sisterly kisses. 

“ By Jehossephat ! what is that ? ” Hopeful asked. 

“ A woman, of course. What should it be ? ” I replied. 

“ Wal,” he answered, with a sigh, “ she’s a rusher, now 
I tell you, and she’s almost as purty as my Martha, of Hills- 
borough county. New Hampshire. I tell you, ain’t she got 
the hair and the face ? ” 

The little coquette must have known that Hez was compli- 
menting her, for she smiled in a most benignant manner, 
and flashed a glance at him that made him shiver, so well 


188 


THE BUSHEANGEfiS. 


iiirected was it ; and as I noted the damage, I felt a little 
apprehensive for my friend’s peace of mind. 

“ She looks good enough to eat,” muttered Ilez, hia 
mouth watering ; and to tell the truth, Amelia, as she stood 
on the steps of the piazza, with bare arms and neck plump 
and white, was enough to entice almost any man into forget- 
fulness of wife or sweetheart. 

“Kemember Martha,” I whispered in Hopeful’s ear. 
“ Steel your heart against the girl before you, for she will 
but lead you on a wild-goose chase. Kemember, show no 
evidence of admiration, or she will take advantage of it.” 

“ You want her yerself,” cried Hez, in a blunt tone, and 
with more temper than I ever saw him exhibit before. 

A woman’s smile or frown can make the best of friends 
enemies. I laughed at the remark, and laid a hand on his 
shoulder, and then looked into his white eyes and freckled 
face while I asked, — 

“ Hopeful, if I wanted the girl, and you wanted her, which 
do you think would stand the best chance of obtaining her ? ” 

“ You,” he answered, and looked upon the ground, and 
pawed it with his foot like a restive horse. 

“Why?” I asked. 

“ 0, ’cos you is better lookin’ than me. You has dark, 
curly hair, black eyes, and a handsome face — or the women 
all say that it is, and they know.” 

“ Anything else ? ” I asked. 

“ Yes ; you has lots of money, and I ain’t got much.” 

“ And with money and good looks you think I would 
stand the best chance with yonder little flirt ? ” I asked. 

There was a sullen “ yes.” It is terrible for a man to 
acknowledge that in the eyes of a woman another is supe- 
rior to himself. 

“ And do you think that I should succeed in preference to 
yourself with Martha ? ” 

“ Gol darn it, no ! ” was the hearty exclamation. 

“ Even with my wealth ? ” 

“ No, I tell yer 1 ” and the man showed signs .of impi^ 
uenoe. 


A WAKNIKG. 


189 


“ Then don’t you think the affections of such a girl ara 
worth more than the passing whims of yonder flirt, who 
would jilt you to-day and me to-morrow ? ” 

“ Yes ; Martha is a noble girl,” answered the man, aa 
tliough thinking over the subject. 

“ I know she is, and on her account, and on yor 
1 want you to escape the net which yonder girl 
for you.” 

“ And you doh’t want her for yourself? ” askeu XXVAf UJU9 
face clearing up a little. 

“ I assure you that I do not.” 

“ And you don’t want to crowd me off?” 

“ I have no such idea, I assure you.” 

“ I believe you ; ” and the honest son of New Hampshire 
extended his hand and grasped mine. 

“ Let me prove it,” I said, without a thought of the con- 
sequences. “ In her company, and while I am at the house, 
rU pass for a poor man, and you shall be known as a rich 
one. You shall quote your wealth, and I’ll laugh at the loss 
of fortune. Now are you satisfied ? ” 

“ Yes ; ” and Hez drew a long breath, as though he felt 
relieved. 

While we were conversing Murden had approached the 
house, and was chatting with Miss Amelia, who tossed her 
head and flaunted her ribbons as though she knew her value 
in that part of the world, and was determined to be appre- 
ciated. 

“ 0, you odious thing ! ” was the first salutation which 
the commissioner received. “ I was in hopes I should never 
see you again. The last time you were here you nearly pes- 
tered my life out of me — you know you did.” 

“ I shall nsver do that until you marry me,” was the 
laughing reply ; and Murden extended his hand, which the 
young girl took, and then threw away, while a blush mantled 
her face as she said, — 

“ Impertinent ! I’U never shako hands with you again, 
for you always squeeze my fingers.” 

“ And how can 1 resist such temptation, when that sofl 


190 


THE BUSHBANOEES. 

white hand is laid in mine? Come, let ns kiss, and be 
friends.” 

“ I would not kiss you to save your life ; ” and the little 
tossed her head and looked her scorn. Murden 

this gentleman,” — he pointed to me, — “he has a 
»king face than mine ; it is not so red, and his 
ot so stiff. Would you kiss him ? ” 

“ No ; for I hate him worse than I do you ; ” and she 
pouted her red lips, while I laughed at her antics. 

“ Well, we wish to accommodate you,” continued the pro- 
voking commissioner ; and he laid his hand on Hez’s shoul- 
der and said, “ What do you think of this man ? He is 
rich, while we are poor. He can make a lady of you.” 

Murden uttered the very words that Hopeful desired him 
to ; hut the commissioner was unconscious of it. He meant 
that as far as brains went, Hez had the advantage of us, for 
he could make a fortune by their aid, while we should starve. 
I watched the young lady while Murden was speaking, and 
saw the sudden sparkle of her eye, and the quick glance 
which she threw at my New Hampshire friend. His freckles, 
in her eyes, were covered with golden scales, and his sandy 
hair was shaded by the siftings of gold dust. Hopeful as- 
sumed a new light in her eyes. He was rich — wealthy 
enough to give her station and all the luxuries which a 
young girl supposes are her due and right if she conde- 
scends to accept of a husband. From that time Hez assumed 
a prsminent position in her mind, and much unhappiness 
was the result, all because I did not see the bearings of cer- 
tain idle expressions and suppositions. 

“Gome,” said the commissioner, with a heaity laugh, 
while Amelia was looking us over, “ won’t you kiss one 
of us ? ” 

“ No, Mr. Impudence.” 

“ Well, which one would you kiss if compelled to ? ” Mur- 
den asked. 

“ This one.” 

She pointed to Hez, much to the man’ll delight, and then 


A COQUETTE AT WORE, 


191 


Tanished, sending back a ringing laugh as £.^e disappeared ; 
and as she was lost to sight I looked up and saw the clown- 
ish features of Moloch, who had overheard all that had 
taken place, and expressed his feelings through his face. I 
read love, jealousy, and hate, but which of us merited his 
anger I could not teU ; but it was evident to me that the 
clown dared to lift his eyes to Amelia — that he loved her ; 
worshipped one who would have killed him with a look, had 
she supposed he was serious in wishing her for a wife, al- 
though, to tell the truth, she did not object to his admira- 
tion. That she could tolerate, but no familiarity must result 
from it. He must keep his distance, and treat her'like a 
princess, or bow down to her, as the natives of the East bow 
to the sun. But if he had dared to talk of love and mar- 
riage, she would have crushed him with a torrent of scorn 
and reproach for his presumption. 

“That fellow will occasion trouble in the family,” I 
thought. “ He is already crazy with jealousy if a man but ^ 
exchanges a word with the girl. I will speak to Smith 
about it.” 

After we had finished breakfast we lighted cigars and 
walked out to see if the horses and men were properly 
cared for. We found the latter under the shade cf trees, 
contented with their present ease. 





CHAPTER XXVm. 


A COQUETTE AT TVOEK. — A JEALOUS LOVEE. AST AT- 
TEMPTED MUEDEE. AN ALAEM. 

Amelia was assisting to perform some household duties 
when I returned to the house. Hez was watching her 
motions as she flitted to and fro, staring at her with a species 
of loving, longing expressions upon his face that would have 
made me laugh at any other time. I could not help sighing 
as I noticed the scene, and I wished that I was the victim 




THE BUSHEAKGEKS. 


instead of Hez. I thought I could stand the pressure bettei 
than my friend. Besides, the girl was handsome, and I 
have a weakness for pretty girls. 

“ Come, Hez,” I said, “ let us go and take a nap. Wo 
need rest, for there’s no knowing how soon we shall he called 
to the saddle.” 

“ I am sure it would be very impolite in Mr. Hopeful to 
leave me just at this time,” cried Amelia. “ I have many 
things for him to do. But go if you want to — don’t let mo 
detain you ; ” and the jade threw a glance at the victim that 
made him almost ready to fall down and worship her. 

“ Miss Amelia,” I said, following the young girl into the 
dining-room, and speaking in a low tone, so that Hez could 
not hear me, “ do you think that it is right or honorable 
to coquet with that young man ? He is not accustomed 
to the ways of the world, and knows but little of woman’s 
heart.” 

“ So much the better,” answered the pert jade, and 
nursed up her red lips and balanced herself on her toes, 
took one or two dancing steps, and lifted her dress so that 
I could catch a glimpse of as neat an ankle as man could 
desiie to see. 

“ Will you listen to me for a moment 

“ No, not if you intend to be serious, for I can’t bear 
such people.” 

“ Well, let me tell you one thing that will interest you. 
If you want to test your power, just try it on me.” 

The little gypsy laughed while she made a mock courtesy, 
and replied, “But I prefer my present subject. He is 
much more interesting than you.” She turned away with a 
laugh while I wiped the perspiration from my brow and 
retired in as good order as possible, considering the rebuff 
which I had met with. 

Ac I left the room I saw Moloch standing at the open 
window. He had been listening, and had heard every word 
of our conversation. I saw a most diabolical grin upon his 
face, ar.d that maddened me ; but 1 did not show signs of it. 
I protended not to notice the man, but passed up the stairs to 


A JEALOUS LOVEB. 


- 19S 


the room vhich Smith had assigned me, and saw that the dirty 
water in which I had washed had not been removed from 
the wash-bowl. The window was open ; an excellent oppor- 
tunity was presented for punishing an eavesdropper. I 
walked softly to the window, and emptied the slops upon 
Moloch’s head. I heard a roar like that produced by an 
enraged bull, and, looking down, I saw Moloch gasping for 
breath, and spitting the soap and water from his mouth, and 
rubbing it from his eyes. 

“ Hullo ! you there ? ” I asked. 

“ Yes, confound it, you knowed I was ! ” the victim 
shouted. 

“ Well, the next time you listen to my conversation, see 
that you are some distance from the window, for sometimes 
I act without thinking.” 

“ You is a very good-looking feller,” the clown said ; 
“ but you can’t make love to Miss Amelia ; ” and with these 
words off he went, muttering some threats which I did not 
heed, or deem of the slightest importance, for I had heard 
many of them in my day. 

I lay down on a mattress which was on the bedstead, and 
with Kover on the floor, I went to sleep in less than five 
minutes. 

I must have slept soundly, for when I awoke it was dark, 
and for some minutes I could not recollect where I was, or 
anything that had occurred during the past twenty-four 
hours. At last I heard some one ascending the stairs, but 
the step was so quiet and light that I could not tell who it 
was; and I came to the conclusion that the person had 
removed his shoes for the purpose of not awakening me. 
I remained perfectly still ; and then I heard my door open, 
and some one looked into the room. I knew it could not 
be a stranger, for I heard Kover’s tail beat the floor, i was 
just about to speak, for I supposed that it was Smith, when 
the door closed, and the sound of footsteps informed me that 
my visitor had departed. 

“ Rather singular,” I thought, and rolled over, and in- 
tended to go to sleep again ; but I no longer felt sleepy, so 


194 


THE BUSHBANQERS. 


I rolled back and forth on the mattress, and wondered what 
time of night it was, and where the deuce the matches were ; 
and just as I thought that I would get up and hunt for 
some, — and, in fact, I had sat up in bed, — I heard a slight 
noise at the window, and on looking in that direction I saw 
a man’s head and shoulders. He was standing, apparently, 
on a ladder, and seemed to be peering into the room and 
listening at the same time. There was a low growl from 
Rover, as though warning the intruder to be cautious. 

“ Good doggy,” I heard a voice whisper ; and then Rovet 
beat his tail upon the floor in response to the compliment. 

“ This is rather singular,” I thought. “ Perhaps the 
man desires something from the room, and don’t care 30 
wake me. He is very considerate, at all events. I’ll lie 
still, and see how he operates.” 

I kept my eyes upon the window, and by the light could 
see the dark form of the man motionless and silent, as though 
resolving upon what course he should pursue. He seemed 
afraid of the hound, for he whispered, — 

“ Come here, pup ; ” and Rover went towards him, and was 
rewarded by a pat on the head. “ Now lay down, good 
dog,” my nocturnal visitor said; and this time he spoke 
rather louder than he intended, for I recognized Moloch’s 
voice. 

“ Ho ! ho ! ” I muttered to myself ; “ the rascal has a de- 
sign in visiting me. I will wait and see what his intentions 
are ; ” and after I had arrived at such a conclusion, I felt 
quite comfortable, and remained quiet. 

Obedient to orders Rover lay down, for he did not think 
it remarkable to see a man whom he knew as well as he did 
Moloch. He had been accustomed to obey the farm hand, 
and he still remembered it, although he had found a new 
master. As the dog lay down Moloch put one foot over 
the window-sill, and prepared to step into the room, and as 
he did so, I saw, by aid of the starlight, that the fellow held 
a knife between his teeth ; and I instantly came to the con- 
elusion that the weapon was intended for me, and that he 
was prosspted by jealousy to attemnt my assassination. A 


AN ATTEMPTED MURDER. 


195 


word would have explained that his iU feeling was all thrown 
away — that Amelia did not love me, nor I Amelia ; but then 
I did not deem it worth while to say a word, for I thought 
that my good luck would get me out of the scrape in some 
manner, in spite of the fellow’s cat-like movements, and 
long, sharp knife. 

After Moloch had swung his leg over the window, he 
rested for a few seconds and listened. I remained quiet, and 
even gave utterance to a snore, to assure the listener that I 
was asleep ; and it appeared to be convincing, for he stepped 
into the room, and came towards the bed, stealing along on 
tiptoe, and making not the least noise. I watched all of his 
motions, for I could see them by the aid of the window, and 
he kept between it and the bed ; and when I thought he was 
near enough for comfort, I just uttered a slight yawn, as 
though I was waking up. Instantly the fellow dropped to 
the floor, and remained in a crouching position, waiting for 
me to go to sleep again, or become composed ; but with one 
eye on the rogue I commenced a noiseless retreat from the 
bed; and I had this advantage in so doing — I could see all 
his movements, but he could not notice mine ; and so quietly 
did I work that I was on the floor, and the bed was between 
us, and yet Moloch knew nothing of the matter ; and by the 
time he had regained his feet, and advanced, knife in hand, 
towards the bed, I had changed the pillows so that they 
represented my form, and covered them with a sheet. 

The clown would have noticed the change if he had not 
been blinded with passion ; he would have observed that the 
form on the bed did not breathe, did not move, and that its 
fece was covered — an unusual thing in a hot climate. He did 
not stop to remark these things ; he was so full of spite that 
he was thirsting for blood, and when he raised his knife he 
let it fall with the full force of his arm. Of course the blade 
entered the pillows, and I uttered a deep groan, and then 
slyly jerked the pillows in such a way that the would-be 
assassin supposed that I was struggling in the agonies of 
death ; and so did Rover, for the dog all at once seemed 
•truck with an idea. He appeared to comprehend that Mo* 


196 


THB BUSHBANGBKS. 


loch was not exactly doing the fair thing ; and when I uttcied 
a groan the noble hound made a spring for the assassin, and 
seized him by the seat of his pants, and shook the rascal, 
and tore out whole mouthfuls of cloth and some flesh, for 
the fellow uttered a subdued howl, and started for the ladder, 
Kover hanging on as though determined never to let go ; 
but he altered his mind when Moloch reached the window, 
for, after giving the fellow one or two nibbles, which elicited 
suppressed cries of pain, he released his hold, and down the 
ladder the clown tumbled, too excited and alarmed to reach 
the ground the way he ascended. I stole to the window 
and glanced out. Moloch was picking himself up, cursing 
and muttering in a subdued tone, too fearful of attracting 
attention to express all that he desired to. But I saw him 
hobble off and disappear around the corner. I concluded to 
dress in the dark, to wash, and to brush my hair; and then, 
after feeling for the stairs with much caution, I managed to 
descend them with safety, although I had some doubts about 
the security of my neck, owing to the peculiarity of the 
stairs, which were built by a man laboring under delirium 
tremens. As I reached the foot of the stairs I heard a con- 
fused clatter of knives and forks, and smelt th© odor of 
roast ducks and boiled onions. 

“It is mighty mean in them not to call a fellow,’’ I mut- 
tered, and then opened the door, and entered the dining- 
room. 

I saw at the table Murden, Smith, Hez, Maurice, and a 
neighboring farmer named White. 

“ You are smart ! ” roared the company. 

“ Why did you say you didn’t want any supper ? and now 
you are here,” demanded Smith and Murden in a breath. 

“I have not had a chance to answer that important 
question,” I replied, a little sulky at what I supposed 
was their fun. 

“ Not had a chance ? ” repeated Smith. “ Why, I sent 
Moloch to call you, and he returned with word that you 
were tired and sleepy, and didn’t want supper. So on that 
ground wf let you rest.” 


AH ALAHM. 


lot 

* Moiocn said that, did he ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

Well, rm much obliged to him, and have to thank him 
for favois. You shall see whether I am hungry or net ; ” and 
down I sat, and took half a roast duck on my plate, and 
commenced eating it with hearty relish. 

“ By the way,” I said, in an abrupt manner, as though the 
thought had just occurred to me, “ it is a little singular that 
Moloch should have returned such an answer as he did. I 
don’t understand it.” 

“ The man is not yet awake,” laughed Murden. 

“ I think that I have given evidence that I am not only 
awake, but tolerably hungry,” I answered. “ But, seriously 
speaking, did Moloch say that ho called me ? ” 

Of course he did,” they all cried in chorus. 

“ Would you mind sending for Moloch ? ” I asked, turning 
to Smith. 

“ Of course not. Why should I ? ” 

“ Just humor me in my whim,” I said. “ Call in Moloch, 
send him up stairs, and tell him to wake me at all hazards. 
While he is absent I’ll just slip into the closet, and wait for 
developments.” 

Smith went to the door and called Moloch, using for the 
ii ’mmons a peculiar-shaped sheep-whistle, which hung near 
the entrance. It brought Joe in the course of five minutes. 

“ Where’s Moloch ? ” asked Smith. 

In the barn, sleepin’.” 

' Send him to me. I want him to do an errand.” 

“ Yeez, zur ; ” and Joe went in search of his comradet 

He was gone a long time, and then returned and said,— 

“ Moloch be wery sleepy, and say he won’t get up.” 

This aroused all the ire of Smith’s nature. 

“ The rascal ? ” he exclaimed, and snatched his stockman’s 
whip. 

Joe knew what Moloch’s punishment would bo; so ho 
threw himself in front of his master, and cried out for him 
to hold his hand, and that he would make Moloch come to 
the house, even if he had to carry him. 


198 


THE BUSHEANGEBS. 


“ Very well,” returned Smith ; “ if he is here in five 
ates, I shall not use the whip ; if not — ” 

Within the time specified, I could hear the two coming 
towards the house ; and when Moloch presented himself be- 
fore his master, his countenance bore all the evidences of 
supposed guilt, for I could see it through a crack of the 
closet door. 

“ Did you vant me, zur ? ” asked the clown, with a tug at 
his foretop. 

“Want you? Of course I wanted you. Did you call 
the man who is up stairs ? ” 

“ Yeez, zur.” 

“ What did he say ? ” 

“ That he would not come down.” 

“Well, we want you to call him again, and tell him that 
he must get up. Don’t leave him till he turns out.” 

“ Must I go up there, zur ? ” and the rascal pointed over- 
head. 

“ Yes ; and be lively about it.” 

“ Can I take a light, zur ? 

“ A light ! What do you want of a light ? Are you afraid 
of ghosts ? ” 

“No, zur, Fse not; but you see the man is quick with his 
pistol, and he might shoot I.” 

“ Then knock at the door and make a row. Come, don’t 
be all night.” 

“ Can’t J oe go with me, zur ? ” Moloch asked, as he edged 
towards the door. 

The farmer made a movement towards his stockman’s 
whip, and at this stage Moloch retreated at a rapid rate, but 
left the door open behind him. I listened, and so did the 
company present, for any demonstration on the part of 
Moloch. I heard him knock at the door, and call me ; and 
then, After some hesitation, as though it took a long time to 
make up his mind, he entered the room, still shouting my 
name, as if to keep up his courage. Then there was a 
moment’s sileLce, and the yeU which I had expected came 
at last. 


MOLOCH IN A PIT. 


199 


“ 0, zur ! ” the man shouted, and plunged down staiis as 
though he was closely pursued by a whole army of ghosts. 
He dashed into the room, and manifested the utmost con- 
sternation as he closed the door, and then faced the company 
at the table, all of whom were sufficiently startled to manifest 
some little alarm. 

“What in heaven’s name is the matter?” roared Smith, 
and once more reached for his whip ; but this time it pos- 
sessed no terrors for Moloch. 

“ 0, maister ! ” he shouted, “ the poor man up stairs is 
ccad.” 

“ Dead ! ” exclaimed the company, with well-affected sur- 
prise. 

“ Yees, zurs. I put my hand on ’im, and he’s cold as 
mutton in winter. But you come and see for yourselves.” 

The company arose from the table, as sober as so many 
undertakers, and prepared to move up stairs. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

MOLOCH IN A FIT. HIS DISAPPEABANCE. — A CLOSE 

SHOT. PKEPABATIONS FOB A TBAMP. 

Of course I saw the whole of the scene ; for the door of 
the closet stood ajar, and I had one eye close to the crack, 
and could take in all that transpired in the room. I saw. the 
pretended horror of hibloch at the supposed discovery of 
my death ; I saw the well-played consternation of the com- 
pany at the table — and they acted their several parts in an 
admirable manner ; and then I saw Smith seize the trembling 
Moloch by the arm, and heard him ask, — 

“ Be you sure that ^Ir. Jack is dead ? ” 

“Yees, zur, I is sure of it. I put my hand on ’im. He 
fas stone cold.” 

A few moments previous to this, Amelia and Mrs. Smi-^ 


200 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


had entered the room, startled by the noise which Moloch 
had made in descending the stairs. 

“ 0, my goodness me ! ” cried Amelia ; “ what is the mat- 
ter with you men that you make this noise ? ” 

“ Matter enough,” returned Smith, still keeping his hold 
on Moloch. “ Mr. Jack is dead.” 

Amelia threw up her hands, and then dove for her sister. 

Mrs. Smith led her sister from the room, and soothed her, 
while Smith still kept a firm hold of Moloch, and urged him 
towards the stairs which led to the room I had occupied. 

“Let’s have a light, maister,” cried Moloch, who still 
manifested symptoms of alarm. “ I don’t want to go in 
that ’ere room without a light.” 

He took a candle from the table, and led the way up the 
stairs, followed by the rest of the party ; and no sooner had 
they disappeared than I left the closet, and once more seated 
myself at the table. Up the stairs stamped the party. I 
heard them when they gained the door of the chamber. 
I heard them pause for a moment, as though deliberating or 
gaining courage, and then with a rush enter the apartment. 
For one moment there was silence, and then I heard a loud 
cry from Moloch, and a laugh from those with him. 

“ Where is the dead man ? ” they shouted. “ Come, show 
him to us.” 

“ He was here, zurs ; ” was the reply ; and then there was 
a pause, as though the men were confounded at the sudden 
disappearance of the body. 

“ K he was here, where has he gone to ? ” asked Smith ; 
but Moloch could not answer. 

“ There has been some foul play here,” cried Murden, 
whose eyes had not been idle while he was in the room ; and 
IS he spoke he lifted the sheet and pillows, and exhibited 
Ihe cuts which the knife had made when my body was sup- 
posed to occupy the place where the pillow was lying. 

“ I don’t know nothin’ about it,” said Moloch, with evident 
symptoms of alarm. “ If somebody has been usin’ a knlfs, 
I don’t know who done it, so there’s a end of it ; ” tra the 
fellow turned away 


MOLOCH m A Flf. 


201 


“ Well, let’s go back and finish our supper,” Smith cried, 
and the proposition was accepted without a dissenting voice. 

Down the stairs they came, and took their seats at the 
table ; but, according to agreement, not the slightest notice 
was taken of me. 

Moloch crawled into the room, his face very pale, and hit 
eyes cast down to the floor. In one hand he carried the 
candle, and he held it in such a careless manner that the 
mutton tallow of which it was composed dripped over the 
floor, looking like hail-stones. 

Put the candle on the table,” said Smith, in a tharp 
voice. 

Moloch advanced to the table without looking up, and it 
BO happened that he attempted to reach the table over my 
shoulder ; but just as he was about to place the candlestickj 
he glanced upward and saw my face, prepared especially for 
the occasion. 

“ ’Tis he ! ” the clown yelled ; and giving the candle a* 
flirt he just missed my nose, and set fire to Hez’s rod hair, 
which had been greased with tallow, for the purpose of con- 
cealing its fiery character from Amelia, “ ’Tis he ! ” yelled 
Moloch ; and he pointed with trembling finger at my face, 
and let the candlestick drop with a crash, while his knees 
Bhook with terror. 

“ What’s the matter with you ? ” roared Smith, pretending 
great indignation. 

“ ’Tis he ! ” was all the man could utter. 

“ Who, you fool ? ” Smith asked. 

“Mr. Jack,” stammered Moloch. 

“ Wkere ? ” asked all the company, with pretended amaze- 
ment, and glanced around the room as though in search of me. 

“TTicre/” cried Moloch, in trembling accents, not daring 
to withdraw his gaze from my face. 

“We see no one,” Smith and Murden exclaimed. 

“ No one ! ” stammered the wretch ; “ and yet the man is 
in a chair, and at the table ; and now he turns his eyes upon 
me, and looks — 0 maister ! how he do look at me — jist as 
though I killed him 1 ” 


203 


THE BUSHHAHGBBS. 


“ You did fcJl him ! ” thundered Murdeu, while I slowhf 
rose from the table and took a step towards the fellow. 

“ Yeez, I done for him,” confessed the wretch ; and then 
with foam upon his lips he fell to the floor, frightened into 
convulsions, and convinced that a ghost stood before him. 

Smith took the man by his heels, and dragged him out of 
the door, and threw him on the grass in the front yard ; and 
there he left him to recover as he pleased, or die if nature 
should so direct. After this feat the farmer returned to the 
table and called for coffee, and Miss Amelia brought it in ; 
but as Hez had slipped out of the room and informed her 
that it was all a mistake, that I was not dead, the amiable 
young creature dried her eyes, told her sister that it was all 
a joke, and that she was rather sorry than otherwise that I 
was not an inmate of the other world, and then insisted 
upon carrying in the coffee, so that she could make faces at 
me, for she assured Hez that she hated me above all earthly 
things, which Hopeful believed, and was comforted thereby 
very much. 

“ This affair is no joke,” said Murden. ** The rascal has 
attempted to kill our friend, and only missed because Provi- 
dence was on his side. Now, the question is, what shall we 
do with him ? ” 

“ Send him to Melbourne for trial,” Smith answered. “ I 
only wish that we had the power — we’d hang him within an 
hour, the rascal ! What could have possessed him ? ” 

“Love,” I answered. All at the table re-echoed the 
word, and laughed at the idea. 

“ Who in heaven’s name is he in love with ? ” demanded 
Smith. 

“ Your wife’s sister.” 

“ Are you sure } ’* 

“ Yes.” 

“ Then I’ll go and kick the fool; you see if I don’t.” 

He jumped from the table and rushed to the yard. We 
followed him as close as possible ; but when he reached the 
place where Moloch was left a few minutes before, found 
that the man had disappeared. 


MOLOCH’S DISArPEARANC*. 


208 


‘‘Hung him! let me find him,” roared Smith; and h» 
cracked his stockman’s whip and ran round looking for the 
fugitive in all the dark corners in the barn where Joe was 
sleeping, and who was bewildered at the visit, and then 
through the outbuildings ; but no Moloch could be seem 
“ If I had found him,” Smith said, — and he handled his whip 
in a menacing manner, — “ I would have skinned him as sure 
as you live. To dare to fall in love with that lass I Drat 
him ! what impudence.” 

I could have set Rover on his trail and found the scamp, 
but then I refiected that loving a girl was not a serious 
crime ; and, looking at my watch, I saw that it was past 
twelve o’clock, so informed Murden of the fact. 

“ That means that we must mount and be off,” he said. 

“ Not ezactly,” I replied. “ I have altered my opinion 
respecting the expediency of an attack. We will wait.” 

“ And for what length of time ? ” asked the commissioner, 
in a tone as little removed from a sneer as it could be, and 
still remain a sneer. 

“ 0, say for a day or two.” 

“I "hall do no such thing,” was the commissioner’s 
answer, in his usual impetuous manner, headstrong as ever. 

“Very well, then, I shall remain behind. You can cross 
the valley, and see if you can find Keeler’s cave.” 

I lighted a cigar, and walked towards the house. I had 
taken but a few steps when Murden overtook me. 

“Hang it, man, don’t go off in that manner. .Tell me 
your plans, and if I like them I’ll agree to them, so that 
we can work together. Come, what have you on your 
mind ? ” 

“ Well, listen. While I was awaiting the attack of that 
rascal Moloch, it struckme that Keeler was too shrewd to 
go near his cave to-night, or even to-morrow.” 

“ There’s something in that,” muttered Murden. 

“ One thing more,” I said. “ Let me whisper i,t in year 
car.” And as the commissioner bent his head, I said, “ In 
the cave Keeler has his whole stock of gold and silver, the 
result of one or two years’ robberies. Do you think that he 


204 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


would allow it to remain there while expecting a visit, and 
half suspecting that I know the place where it was buried ? ” 

“ Of course he would remove it,” muttered Murden. 

“ To be sure he would. He is no fool. But he must do 
it carefully, for he don’t care to let his companions suspect 
the treasure which he possesses.” 

“ I see, I see,” Murden said. “ There’s reason in every 
word you utter. Of course the men don’t share with us in 
case we lay hands on the spoil.” 

“ Why should they ? ” 

“ To be sure, why should they ? ” briskly responded Mur- 
den, as he rubbed his hands and thought how he would like 
to handle the gold. 

We entered the house, and announced to Smith and his 
family that we should remain with them for some days, at 
which news the stockman was delighted, and Amelia pre- 
tended a little petulance. 

“ 0, dear ! ” she said ; “ have I got to endure the com- 
pany of you men for such a length of time } I hope that 
none of you will speak to me.” 

“ Unless we offer a proposal of marriage,” laughed the 
commissioner. 

“You might offer in vain, Mr. Policeman,” the little 
beauty said, with a flash of her blue eyes and a toss of h/?r 
well-formed head. 

Murden laughed as he replied, “Don’t be alarmed; I 
have no idea of asking such a butterfly to become my wife. 
I want a woman for a companion, not a bread-and-butter 
school-girl. 

“ I won’t remain here and be insulted,” she said, “ al- 
though I should like to sit up an hour or two longer, if any 
one was here to protect me ; ” and with these words she 
swept from the room, and we saw no more of her that night. 

Hez smoked his pipe in silence for a few minutes, and 
then knocked out the ashes and betook himself to bed, while 
Murden and I commenced an official despatch, and before 
daylight we had finished ; and I think a neater thing never 
went to headquarters. It told of deadly peril ; of ambushes 


PBKPAKATIONS FOR A lEAMP. 


205 


in the Black Forest ; of sharp skirmishes ; of burning house 
and rescued women, and property saved, and closed by hop- 
ing to annihilate the whole of Keeler’s gang, upon whose 
trail we were. 

“ There,” said Murden, as he signed the document, after 
paying a compliment to Hez and myself, “ I think that will 
make the government open its eyes to my merits, and crush 
all who were opposed to me. I’ll call up one of the men 
and send it off at once, for we shall have daylight in an 
hour’s time.” 

He stepped to the door and blew a whistle, and one of the 
sentinels came running to see what was wanted. 

“ Who has had the most rest ? ” asked the commis- 
sioner. 

“ Martin, sir. He has not been called as yet.” 

“ Bouse him out, and tell him to saddle his horse and get 
ready for a trip to Melbourne.” 

“ Yes, sir ; ” and the man vanished. 

In ten minutes Martin reported himself as ready, received 
the despatch and orders to return as soon as he could, and 
then started on his journey; and we went to bed and slept 
until noon, when we turned out, found something to eat, 
joked a little with Amelia, and received scornful, withering 
replies, and then Hez and I took our rifles and wandered 
off towards the hills. As we strolled along. Hopeful mani- 
fested some little impatience at the time which he had 
wasted while in the country, not having made a dollar, as he 
expressed it ; so he was a little peevish in consequence. 

“ Why, Hez,” I said, “ what do you care for money ? 
You no longer have the noble ambition which actuated you 
to visit the country. You have forgotten Martha, and her 
constancy and truth, for a fresh-faced, coquettish English 
girl. Tell me that you will still remember the New Hamp- 
shire maid, and that you want gold but for her sake, and Til 
go to work in earnest in the course of a few days.” 

Hez plucked the grass up by the roots, — we were sitting 
near a bank, and in sight of Smith’s house, — and did net 
reply for some time ; but at last he looked up and asked, 


S06 


THE BUSHEAHGEBS. 

with li cunning leer, “Jack, don’t you want the little English 
gal for yourself ? ” 

“ Ko, I assure you that I don’t.” 

“ And you ain’t sorry that you told her that I was a rich 
man and you a poor one ? ” 

“ No ; why should I regret it ? ” 

“ O, ’cos I see that arter all the gal likes you better nor 
she df^s me.” 

“A pretty way she takes of showing her favor. She 
Btujffs you for the sake of showing her love for me.” 

“ You may laugh, but it is so,” growled Hez, in a sulky 
tone. “ I’d marry her if I could.” 

“ You shouldn’t do any such thing,” I replied in a quick 
tone, and without a moment’s thought. 

flez Sprang to his feet, defiance in his eye and mien. 
As he came towards me I arose to my feet, for I saw that 
he was not sane, aud for the moment capable of commit- 
ting some rash deed, which he would regret in his cooler 
moments. 

“ Hopeful,” I said. But he made no reply, and just as I 
was about to speak the second time I heard a sharp report ; 
and the next instant my broad-brimmed hat fell from my head, 
knocked therefrom by a musket ball; and then the lead 
passed between us and touched the earth some thirty rods 
beyond. The expression of Hez’s face changed in an instant 
from jealous rage to deep anxiety. He sprang forward, 
clasped me in his arms, and asked, — 

“ You’re not hurt ? Don’t tell me you are hurt I I won’t 
believe it. Will you forgive me ? ” 

“ Y^s, on condition you will help me find that skulking 
rascal.” 

He released me, and both of us seized our rifles and 
rushed up the bank in the direction from whence the shot 
proceeded ; but although we looked in every direction, and 
hunted in tree-tops and behind bushes, no sign of a human 
being could be seen, nor even the trace of one. Hez was 
frantic at the idea of the villain’s escaping ; but after a 
learch of fifteen minutes we gave it up, and retraced our steps 


AS EXPEDITIOH. 


207 


towards Smith’s ranche, the best of friends, all past jeal- 
ousies forgotten and forgiven ; for I knew that Hopefuj felt 
ashamed of his conduct, and was dejected in consequence. 
I made no allusion to what had occurred, nor did he ; but 
during the three days that we remained at the farm, I noticed 
that my friend still looked with loving eyes at Amelia, and 
that she wrung his heart more than once ; so, to end the 
farce, I told Murden that we would start in search of Keelct 
and his gang, and he joyfully gave the orders to get ready 
for the march. 


CHAPTER XXX. 

an EXPEDITION. — CKOSSING THE VALLEY BY NIGHT. — A 
CONFESSION. POINT LOOKOUT. THE SENTINELS. 

“What time shall we start?” asked Murden, when I 
announced that I thought the hour had arrived for action. 

“ Soon after twelve to-night. We must get close to 
Point Lookout by daylight, and see if we cannot seize the 
bushrangers who are acting as sentinels.” 

“ I will order the horses to be ready, and will start at any 
hour that you will name ; ” and with these words Murden 
went to the stable, leaving me with Hez. 

“ You will go with us ? ” I asked. 

“ No, I shall stay here,” was the sullen response. 

“ As you please,” I answered, and left him. 

We cleaned our arms that evening, loaded them, and at 
one o’clock in the morning mounted our horses and started 
on o'lr expedition. We all shook hands with the stockman, 
and left the farm, filing out of the yard by the way of the 
orchard, and then gaining the valley which stretched for 
miles north and south, and ended at the edge of the Black 
Forest and Point Lookout. By the side of my horse trotted 
Rover, henceforth destined to be my inseparable companion. 

At last, as we progressed, the travel became preoarioua, 

8 


208 


THE BUSHRA5GEEB. 


and we were compelled to walk our horses, for the hog-holei 
were numerous, and sometimes our animals sunk into them 
up to their girths, and were extricated with difficulty. Such 
being the case, Murden and I rode ahead of the troop, and 
with the men, like a miserable lover that he was, came 
Hopeful ; for when the hour of departure had arrived, he had 
concluded to go with us, and not remain in Miss Amelia’s 
company any longer. 

As Murden reined his horse alongside of mine, he said, 
“ Miss Amelia is a sprightly sort of lass, and to tell ths 
truth, I rather like her. I need a wife to look after mj 
house, and comfort me a little, and why shouldn’t I take her ? * 

“ I know of but one reason why you should not,” I replied 

“ And what is that ? ” 

“ Why, will she have you ? ” 

“ How should I know till I have asked her?” the police- 
man retorted, in a tone of surprise. “ I never spoke to her 
about love or such nonsense, because I was always busy with 
my chaff ; but she seemed to take an interest in me.” 

“ How so ? ” I asked ; and I attempted to obtain a look at 
the man’s face, but it was bent close to his horse’s neck, on 
the lookout for “ sink-holes,” so I could not tell if he was in 
earnest. 

“ 0, she always tells me that she hates me, and gives me 
as much chaff as I give her.” 

“ And you think she means esteem when she scolds you ? ” 
I asked. 

“ Well, it ain’t indifference, for you know young girls say 
they hate you, when at the same time they have some little 
love for you ; and I’ve watched Amelia — ” 

Here his confession was interrupted by his horse making 
a plunge, and another narrow escape from a “ sink-hole ” was 
the result. I was rather glad of it than otherwise, for I 
«ould not do my duty with two men and one girl, where both 
of the former loved the latter, and while I was not entirely 
free to act as umpire, for the red lips and saucy eyes of Miss 
Amelia were tempting to a young man not more than — Ah, 
well I what are ages when love-is concerned ? 


CBOSSINQ THE VALLEY BY NIGHT. 


209 


But at last we left the vicinity of “ sink-holes,” and were 
elose under the lee of Point Lookout, where Keeler kept 
one or more of his men for the purpose of sweeping the val- 
ley for miles in extent, and giving timely notice if enemies 
approached. 

“ We must dismount here,” I said, as we reached the base 
of the mountain, and could proceed no farther on horseback. 

“ Leave three of your most careful men with the horses,” 
I said, “ while the rest of us climb the mountain, and pounce 
upon the robbers in case they are near us.” 

The commissioner selected three of the oldest men in the 
tioop, and gave them their instructions, and then turned to 
me for further advice ; for on this expedition he relied entirely 
upon me for guidance. 

“ Tell the men that they must not exchange a word when 
they commence the ascent — that our success depends upon 
silence and caution. Now, then, are you ready ? ” 

Murden spoke to the officers, cautioned them about their 
movements ; and then we commenced the ascent of the moun- 
tain, about a quarter of a mile in the rear of Point Lookout, 
so that we could cut off all retreat in case we gained the 
summit of the mountain without being discovered. 

We were within fifteen rods of the point which commanded 
a view of the valley, and yet not a sign of a bushranger was 
to be seen ; and I began to think that Keeler had withdrawn 
his sentinels and fled towards the Great Murray, or concealed 
himself and gang in the fastness of Mount Macedonskirt, 
where a regiment of soldiers could not have found him, had 
they hunted for a week ; for the mountain is full of deep 
gorges, dark caves, and terrible precipices, where a false 
step would send a person flying througli the air, and land 
him, a mass of jelly and broken bones, on the rocks below. 
I was about to rise from my recumbent position, and boldly 
advance, when Hez said, “ Hist I ” in as low a tone as possi- 
ble ; and at the same time I heard the peculiar serpent-like 
hiss which the police use, when they communicate with each 
other, in localities where the human voice is not to be trust- 
ed. I looked up and saw Murden signalize to me. He was 


110 


THE BUSHRAI^QEKS. 


in a better position than myself for commanding an obserra* 
tion, and as I caught his eye, I saw quite plainly that h« 
had news for me. 

“ What is it ? ” I telegraphed ; and an answer was r©» 
turned that “ some one was in sight.” 

I edged away from the quartz rock behind which I was 
sheltered, and at last obtained a position where I could see 
some distance, and note all that was going on. The first 
thing that met my view was the sturdy form of a bushranger, 
who was standing near the point, his back towards us, and 
his eyes scanning the valley which lay at his feet, covered 
with mist. The fellow seemed to have just “ turned out,” 
for he was yawning and stretching his arms like a man who 
had enjoyed a good sleep, and was rather regretful that 
daylight had appeared. The bushranger, after a good 
hearty stretch, pulled out a black-looking pipe, filled it, and 
commenced smoking with much apparent relish. After a 
few whiffs he took his pipe from his mouth, and shouted, — 
“ Bob, come out of that ; you have slept long enough.” 

“ Wkat in the fiend’s name do you want to rouse me out 
at this hour for ? ” growled Bob ; and then he cast his eyes 
over the valley, and continued : “ Ugh ! the fog is so thick 
that you couldn’t see a regiment if marching towards us. I 
say, Alf, what a fine time this would be for the traps to steal 
towards us. They could get up to Point Lookout before we 
knew it ; and then wouldn’t we be dashed ? ” 

“ Don’t mention traps to me,” growled Alf. “ The name 
makes me tremble. I never wants to see one of ’em, or hear 
of ’em. They is our enemies, and we is theirs.” 

I was anxious to save Bob, for I believed him capable of 
better things than a bushranger’s life ; so I signalized to the 
men, as we arose from our crouching position, to bo careful 
how they handled their weapons, and to spare Bob if it was 
a possible thing. The dry grass cn which we stepped gave 
forth no sound as we advanced, and it was not until we were 
within ten paces of the bushrangers that their sharp ears 
detected our movements ; and then they sprang to their feet 


AH ATTEMPT TO EXTOBT A CONTESSIOH. 


211 


CHAPTER XXXL 

^ ATTEMPT TO EXTOBT A CONPESSION. THE PEBIL8 OP 

TBATELLIBO IN ATISTBALIA. A SX7BPBISE. 

SuBPBisED although the robbers were, they did not seem 
so much intimidated as we expected ; and as they surveyedi 
their enemies, I could see that they were calculating all the 
chances, and considering which one was the best. 

“Surrender, you miserable scamps!’'roared the commis- 
sioner. “Drop your pistols and knives, or PU bore you 
through and through with cold lead.” 

The bushrangers glared at him as though they would like 
to be on equal terms ; but they did not drop their arms, as 
requested. They appeared to be too much surprised to do 
BO ; but I noticed that they were gradually retreating, and 
it struck me that they were attempting to reach their cave, 
or place of concealment, and then bid defiance to our arms. 
No sooner did I note the movement than I determined to 
defeat it. 

“ Stop ! ” I shouted. “ K you take another backward or 
forward step you are dead men. Now, move at your peril.” 

In an instant they were like statues, immovable. Sud- 
denly Alf, a stout, broad-shouldered fellow, with a cast in 
one eye, so that it was impossible to tell the direction in 
which he was looking, spoke in the slang of the bushrangers ; 
and although he did not turn his head, we knew that he was 
talking to Bob. 

“ Sligo the sling,” he said, “ and stalk the lags,” which 
meant that either he or his companion should manage in 
some way to give warning to Keeler and his gang that the 
traps were at hand. 

“ No, you don’t,” said Murden, who understood all the vile 
ilang of the bushrangers ; “ if you do, you are dead men. 
We are not to be trified with.” 

The cross-eyed bushranger seemed to lose all hope after 
*5 


212 


¥H£ BUSHBAKQEBS. 


this remark. He held his arms up over his head in token 
ihat he surrendered unconditionally. 

“ Put your irons on,” he said, “ or else in mercy shoot me 
in my tracks, and save the courts all trouble. Fve run my 
career.” 

“ And I mine,” returned Bob, imitating his companion. 
“ The traps have got the best of us. Our time has come ; so 
we may as well fall in, for our drill is over.” 

At a sign from Murden two of the officers advanced with 
irons in their hands, and secured the men, and after that 
was done we went forward to inspect their place of abode. 
It was a small cave, with plenty of blankets in it to keep the 
sentinels warm during the night, a lot of provisions, a few 
books of a low order, and that was all. As I left the cave, 
I saw that the young bushranger was looking at me in a 
wishful manner ; so I approached, and sat down near him 

“Well, sir,” he said, “luck is in your hands this time. 
You has us, and no mistake. I don’t s’pose we can expect 
a bloody bit of mercy from the traps.” 

“ I shall do what I can for you through the authorities ; 
but it will depend in a measure upon yourself as to the 
result.” 

“ I know what you would ask,” he said. 

“ What?” 

“ That I should betray Keeler.” 

“ No ; I don’t ask that in so many words. I want you to 
just hint as to his present position, and how many men he 
has with him. You can do that.” 

“ No, I can’t,” was the candid answer ; “ I will net turn 
traitor even to save my life. I should despise my bloody 
self if I did, and so would you despise me. I can’t do it, 
and you know it. I’ve been a tough cove, and desarve what 
I shall get ; but I can’t betray Keeler and my old comrades.” 

“ Come, old feller,” cried the commissioner, “ give us 
some information, or you will find your neck in danger. TeU 
me this instant how many men Keeler has with him.” 

“ I can’t answer the question, and I shan’t answer it,” was 
the sullen answer ; for Bob saw that he had a Tartar to deal 
witL 


A>( ATTEMPT TO EXTORT A CONFESSION. 


219 


“ 0, you won’t, hey ? ” 

“No.” 

The men looked like two bull dogs ready to spring at 
each other’s necks. 

“ Maurice,” said the commissioner, addressing his lieuten- 
ant, “just rig a gallows. We will see if that cove won’t 
answer.” 

Bob did not seem in the least intimidated at the order, 
but sat in sullen silence, with his eyes fixed upon the ground. 
Although I knew that Mur den j^ould not dare to hang the 
man, yet I knew him well enough to be aware that he would 
not scruple to choke the bushranger just a little, for the 
purpose of obtaining information; and the authorities of 
Melbourne would have winked at the matter, even if poor 
Bob’s life had gone with the experiment ; for the fellow, in 
the eye of the law, was only a desperate villain, after all, and 
the sooner he was out of the way the better for those who 
travelled to and from the mines. Maurice, who had no more 
feeling for a bushranger than he had for a snake, deliberately 
produced a cord, and looked around for a convenient tree to 
which he could attach it ; but Alf, the old robber, who had 
watched all the movements with an eager eye, now thought 
that it was time to interfere. 

“ You have no authority for hanging a man,” he said. “ I 
dare you to do it.” 

Murden was so surprised at the man’s impudence that he 
could not answer him for a moment. At length the commis- 
sioner managed to find his voice. 

“ Who in the fiend’s name are you ? ” he shouted. 

“ Fm a pal of Bob’s, and I won’t see him abused if I can 
help it. No, sir, much as I should regret to appeal to legal 
tribunals, — for I confess that I don’t like them, and I have 
avoided them when I could, — yet I warn you that I shall do 
BO if a hair of my pal’s head is injured. Now, bang you, 
do your worst.” 

It was amusing to witness Murden’ s face while the captive 
bushranger, heavily ironed, and at the mercy of the police, 
Was speaking. 


214 


THE BUSHllANGERS. 


“ By the Lord Harry ! ” he said, “ I must flog thai fello\f 
or burst. The law permits me to do so, and I will. Don’t 
say one word to prevent me.” 

“ Nonsense,” I replied, in a tone which I knew would calm 
him ; “ do you mean to take notice of such trifling matters 
when events of importance are about to transpire? You 
don’t intend to injure either of these men. I owe my life 
to one, and the other is a captive, and entitled to some con- 
sideration. Come, look around. It is almost daylight. If 
we are to surprise Keeler, we had better be about it.” 

“ So we had. We’U move at once. I didn’t mean to harm 
the prisoner, you know. It was only to frighten a little 
information from him.” 

“ The rope is aU ready, sir,” cried Maurice, as we once 
more neared the spot where the bushrangers were lying. 

He had thrown it over the limb of a tree, and made a slip- 
noose with one end. 

“Nonsense,” returned Murden; “you didn’t think I was 
in earnest, did you ? I only wanted to frighten the men.” 

“ Well, then, what is to be done with the prisoners ? We 
must secure them, for we cannot take them with us.” 

I thought of the matter for a moment, for it was an im- 
portant subject. We could not take them with us, for they 
would impede our advance. We could not leave them 
behind, for we should have to detail men to guard them ; 
and men we could not spare just at that time, when it 
was imcertain how many bushrangers composed Keeler’s 
gang. 

There was no help for it. We must detail “ Fiery Tom” 
in charge of the prisoners until our return ; and so I told 
Murden, who jumped at the suggestion, for Tom could not 
fight, although he could burn. 

“ Yes,” said the commissioner, “ we’ll put irons on the 
follows’ legs, and leave Tom to take charge of them.” 

I saw a dangerous light in Tom’s eyes as hs heard the 
suggestion, and I knew what the villain was thinking of. 
He imagined that he would have a nice time all to himself, 
flourishing lighted grass in the faces of the bushrangers ; but I 


THE BUSHEANGKES HANDCUFFED. 


215 


ent short his happy thoughts by laying one hand on the butt 
of my revolver, and the other on Tom’s arm. 

“ Look here, my chicken,” I said, “ if you but hurt a hair 
of those men’s heads. I’ll send a bullet through your body, 
even if I never shoot another man during my life.” 

“ So help me Grod, Mr. Jack,” the fellow cried; but I inter- 
rupted him. 

“ None of your blarney, Tom, for you know I won’t stand 
it. But you understand me, I hope. That young fellow ” 
— and I pointed to the deserter from the English army — 
“ saved my life ; so I mean to save his in return. K you 
play any of your pranks with him. I’ll pay you for it with 
compound interest.” 

“ To think that you should doubt my word ! ” returned 
“ Fiery Tom,” with a reproachful look. 

“ You’ll have no occasion to doubt mine,” I answered ; 
and then we separated. 

The policemen shackled the limbs of the bushrangers so 
that it was impossible to move hand or foot, and then we 
gathered up our arms and prepared to depart ; but while 
the men were getting ready, I stooped and whispered to the 
young bushranger. 

“ No, sir,” he said, in answer to my question, “ I don’t 
know as there’s anything that I want. You has been very 
kind to me, and I’m much obliged. If you had a drop of 
liquor about you, I could sup it, I suppose, and it wouldn’t 
make me sick.” 

I raised his head and put my flask to his lips. He took a 
good swig, and then he whispered to me that his pal would 
be thankful for a sup ; so I accommodated him, and was 
called a “real gentleman” for my kindness, it was so unex- 
pected. We returned to the valley, where we found our 
horses. We mounted, and galloped along the base of the 
mountain, using as much speed as we dared, considering the 
uncertainties of the road, which we were entirely unac- 
quainted with. But as the mist rose, slowly circling over 
our heads, but still clinging to the sides of the mountain, ar 
though reluctant to part after a night’s close embrace, I wa» 


tHS BUSHRANGElfcS. 


lid 

enabled to take an observation of my position, by tbe aid of 
certain marks which I had well observed the day I made my 
escape from the cave. 

“ Near here,’’ I said to Murden in a whisper, — for we had 
checked the speed of our animals for fear the sound of their 
hoofs would be heard, — “ is the small stream I told you of. 
If I can find it, there will no longer be any doubt on my 
mind. I can lead you to the cave without the least hesi- 
tation.” 

Murden turned in his saddle, and spoke to his lieutenant. 
“ Send men to the right of us, and tell them to keep a sharp 
lookout for a stream, the banks of which are concealed by 
tall grass. Let me know as soon as they discover it.” 

Obedient to a sign, the men started in different directions, 
and then we walked our horses for half a mile, expecting to 
come upon the stream every moment. 

Hang me if I believe there is a stream within ten miles 
of here,” the commissioner cried, and turned to me as if 
daring me to deny it. 

I smiled at his warmth, and that smile seemed to make 
the officer more and more excited. He struck his horse, 
and the animal suddenly plunged forward, and down he went, 
out of sight; but Murden’s head could be seen above the 
grass. 

“ I think you have found the stream,” I said, in the cool- 
est possible manner. “ Can you tell me how deep it is ? ” 

I heard the policemen titter, as though they would like to 
laugh if they dared to ; but as they did not, they only smiled, 
and allowed an audible snicker to escape them. 

“ Yes, I have found it,” was the sullen answer. 

“ And how do you like it ? ” 

“ None of your business. I’m fooled if I don’t believe you 
knew it was here ; ” and Murden touched his horse for the 
purpose of climbing the bank, but found the task a difficult 
one, for the earth was soft, and easily gave way beneath the 
horse’s feet. 

“ I knew it was near here ; but as you were positive that 
it was not within ten miles of us, I began to doubt if I was 


A 8UEPRISE. 


217 


correct. However, I am glad to see that you have cleared 
op all doubt on the matter by personal observation.” 

“ 0, blast your preaching ! IIclp me out of this, and I’ll 
make a solemn promise not to doubt your word again.” 

I dismounted and approached the stream, so that I could 
examine his situation. After a brief survey I found a place 
where cattle had climbed up the bank, and to this point I 
directed the commissioner’s attention. He headed his horse 
down stream, and after a while landed on firm ground, and 
then commenced grumbling, as is customary with Eng- 
lishmen. 

“ Do you mean to hunt bushrangers, or stand here and 
growl all day ? ” I asked. 

“ When I am unable to growl, I am unable to stand,” was 
the reply ; and I believe the remark holds good with all his 
countrymen. 

“ And while you are growling the mist is rising. In a 
short time the whole of the valley will be exposed to the 
jealous scrutiny of the bushrangers ; and if they once catch 
sight of us, we might as well attempt to capture so many 
eagles. Come, give the word to march, and scrape the mud 
from your person some other time.” 

The mist stiU clung to the mountain side, as though to 
facilitate our movements ; but already had the sun appeared 
above the horizon, and it would soon scatter the thin, haze- 
like web that hung over us. We left the horses in charge 
of two men, and then commenced ascending the mountain, 
leaving the beaten path for fear we should be observed sooner 
than was desirable. W^e crept up, making not the least 
noise ; and it was well for us that we were so quiet, for while 
we were in the mist I suddenly found myself face to face 
with a burly bushranger, who was seated on a piece of quaitz, 
smoking in a complacent manner, and probably meditating 
on the evil deeds which he had committed. 

“ Ugh ! ” he growled, when he caught sight of me ; but he 
had no chance to sound an alarm, for I sprang at his throa* 
just as he was rising, and bore him to tha earth. 


318 


THX BUSHBAKQEBS. 


CHAPTER xxxn, 

THE BOBBErV DEATH. BTJSHKAHOEES 8TTBPBISED. — THE 

ATTACK AND PUGHT. MDBDEN’s ALAKM. 

“ You scoundrel ! ” I whispered, as the man fell upon his 
back, and I placed my knee upon his breast, “ tell me where 
Keeler and his men are, o? I’ll blow your brains out ! ” 

He made a motion for me to release his throat, so that he 
could speak, and I complied with his wishes, thinking that 
the muzzle of a pistol which one of the men placed at his 
head would deter him from giving an alarm ; but the swarthy 
villain was not intimidated in the least. Perhaps he thought 
that the threat was a vain one, and that he could really serve 
his comrades ; for as I released his throat he uttered a shrill 
yell that could have been heard for half a mile. I knew 
what it meant. It was the signal that danger was near ; but 
the prisoner did not have time to repeat it, for my hands 
once more clasped his throat, and at the same moment the 
policeman, who held the pistol, discharged it, for he was a 
man who knew no mercy when bushrangers were arrested. 
The ball entered the poor fellow’s head, and as it struck it 
sent a shower of brains all over me, and for a moment I felt 
BO sick that I thought I should faint ; but I recovered in an in- 
stant, and then turned on the policeman who had fired the shot. 

“ Who told you to do that ? ” I asked, horrified at the 
murder, and at the cool manner in which it was performed. 

** You did, sir,” was the calm answer. 

“ You lie I I told you nothing of the kind.” 

** You threatened the man, and said that you’d kill him if 
lie made a noise. I s’posed you was in earnest ; so I jist 
put a ball through his head.” 

“ This is no time to settle the pestion,” I cried. “ The 
bushrangers will be on guard if we remain here a moment 
longer. Forward 1 ” 

We all charged up the hill on a run, and just then the 


BUSHEANGEBS SURPEISKD. 


219 


mist suddenly dissolved and revealed some eight or ten mea 
standing at the mouth of the cave, apparently listening for a 
repetition of the warning signal which their comrade had 
given a moment before. They were not more than fifteen 
rods from us, and among the group I recognized the tall form 
of Keeler. But the leader of the bushrangers was not a man 
to run without good cause. He was a bold fellow, and 
would have made an excellent soldier ; but he did dread the 
sight of half a dozen blue uniforms, for he knew that no 
mercy would be shown him if the law once laid hands on his 
person ; so when he heard the commissioner’s voice, he re- 
plied, with a rallying war-cry, — 

“ Death to the traps ! Stand firm and give it to them.” 
I think that about four or five out of the ten bushrangers 
raised their muskets as though to fire ; but the others glanced 
over their shoulders, and that I knew was a sure sign that 
they were slightly demoralized, and decided to change their 
base as quick as possible. In the meantime we were ad- 
vancing at double-quick time ; but I was not in such a hurry 
that I failed to watch all the motions of the enemy, and when 
I saw them raise their guns, I just shouted for a halt. 

Halt nothing!” roared Murden. “ What for ? ” 

“ Ready — aim — fire I” I yelled ; and at the last word the 
police poured a volley into the ranks of the bushrangers, 
and at the same moment the viUains gave us a few scattering 
shots, one of which was aimed at me, and by Keeler’s hand. 
It passed within a few inches of my scalp, raised my cap as 
though to take it from my head, and then the bullet sped on, 
and struck a poor fellow who was just behind me, knocking 
him down with a ball in his shoulder. A second bullet 
passed through the breast of a young fellow who was on the 
left of the line, and down he dropped dead. In addition to 
this, there were some narrow escapes similar to my own. 
Our own discharge was more destructive. Four of the bush- 
rangers fell, killed or wounded ; but Keeler was uninjured, 
for I heard his deep, sonorous voice cry out, — 

‘ Kill the old traps ! down with them I ” advice which 
was not followed by his men; for they gave one look at 


220 


THE BUSHKANQERS. 


our advancing columns, a second glance at their own dead 
and wounded, and then turned and ran for their lives, throw- 
ing away their guns as they dashed down the mountain, 
springing from rock to rock like a flock of scared goats. 

Keeler paused at the foot of the mountain, shook his flst 
at us in a threatening manner, and then ran across the plain 
that skirted a piece of woods. But just before he disappeared 

“ TT.mg him!” muttered Murden, who seemed to think 
that the gesture was intended for his especial benefit ; “ if I 
had him in my power Fd kill him, or I’d know the reason why.” 

“ But as he was too quick for us this time, we shall have 
the pleasure of meeting him some other day,” I remarked. 

“ Humph ! yes, I suppose so ; *\for, Englishman-like, Mur- 
den was not quite satisfied with his victory. He wanted the 
glory of saying that the last man of Keeler’s band was dead, 
and that the roads were free. 

“ I think we have done enough,” I said, “ to satisfy you 
and the government. We have destroyed one half of a des- 
perate band, and I think you can glorify yourself and your 
men, and with ample ground for all that you say.” 

The mouth of the cave was so well concealed that none 
of the men had as yet discovered it ; so, after a brief survey 
of the country, so as to be satisfied that none of the bush- 
rangers were lurking near, I led the way to the entrance, 
Murden following close to my heels. 


SXSCCJC Ot AK £KOLISfi BAfiONi:?. 


221 


CHAPTER XXXm. 

AES CUE OF AN ENGLISH BAEONET. HIS ADVENTUBE8. — 

A STKANGE SIGHT. 

The sight which met our gaze as we entered the robbers* 
cave, revolvers in hand, was so peculiar and extraordinary 
that we stopped upon the threshold, and surveyed the scene 
before us, uncertain whether to laugh or assume a serious 
mood. 

In one comer, where I had found protection under a 
lot of old clothing, w^hen I first visited the cave, was 
stretched the fat form of old Mrs. Brown, still uncon- 
scious from the effects of liquor, as w^as usually the case. 
Her heavy breathing assured me that she was only in a 
drunken slumber, and, therefore, had suffered no harm at 
the words of Keeler and his gang, for having assisted 
my escape; indeed, it was probable that her share in 
that transaction was unsuspected 

Standing over her, with a puzzled expression upon his 
face, was Rover; and, as though to waken her to life, he 
was licking her tanned face with bis huge red tongue. 

This was too much for Murden. He laughed until the 
cave seemed full of echoes; but it had no effect upon 
Mother Brown, who continued to sleep, and the dog con- 
tinued to mop her face as inclination prompted him. But 
hardly had our laughter died away, when we heard a deep 
groan in the darkest corner of the cavern, in a quarter where 
the light did not penetrate sufficiently for our eyes to reach. 

“ Who is there ?” I asked, and took a step forward. 

“ If you are men and Christians, help me,” said a feeble 
voice. 

“ Who are you ? ” I cried, as I advanced, followed by 
Murden, while the dog left his prey, and trotted towards ths 
new applicant for aid. 




THE BUSHKANQEK». 


A pocr, unfortunate man, who has been made a prisoner 
by a cruel band of highwaymen. I pray Heaven that you 
don’t belong to it.” 

“ Have no fear of us,” I answered ; and by this time I 
had reached the prisoner, and was kneeling down by his 
side. 

The person who claimed our help was lying on his back, 
heavily ironed, and chained to the wall of the cave ; so that 
escape was impossible. 

But in spite of his gray hair and age, the prisoner was 
one of the best looking men that I had ever seen. His face 
was stamped with such a noble expression, so full of dignity 
and kindness, that I knew he was no ordinary person, 
and I was determined to know more of him before we 
parted. 

But those eyes — where had I seen them ? They were so 
handsome, dark blue, with long eyelashes, and seemed to 
reeall to my mind some one’s face, and yet I could not think 
whose. I taxed my memory to its utmost, but was un- 
successful. At last I spoke to the prisoner, thinking that 
his memory might help me. 

“ Your face appears familiar to me,” I said. “ Where can 
I have seen you ? ” 

“ I am sure I cannot answer the question,” was the care- 
less answer. “ You policemen often note faces — it is your 
trade.” 

The reply nettled me, it was delivered in such a peculiar 
manner — as though it was not of the slightest consequence 
whether we had ever met before or not. 

“ My trade is not that of a policeman,” was my reply, and 
in as haughty a tone as I could assume. 

“0, isn’t it ? ” and then the prisoner glanced at his irons, 
and continued : “ Well, I wish you were a machinist, or a 
locksmith, or could pick the locks which fasten these irons, 
for they are galling my flesh, and I should be grateful if they 
were off.” 

“ I am neither,” I ans\iered, and was about to walk off 
when Hez came forward. 


THE BARONET’S ADVENTURE?. 


223 


“ Let me see them ’ere locks,” he said. “ P’aps I can do 
Bomethin* with ’em.” 

“ Then you’re the man for me,” returned the dignified- 
looking prisoner ; “ and if you free me I will amply reward 
you.” 

“ Don’t want no reward for work like that ’ere,” was Hez’s 
answer, with all of a Yankee’s independence. “ I’ll be gol 
darned if I can’t snake ’em off! You jist wait a minute.” 

The New Hampshire born man searched his pockets, and 
produced a stout wire, a file, and a miniature vice. He put 
the wire into the latter, filed it to a point, bent it in a pecul- 
iar manner, so that it bore some resemblance to a skeleton 
key, and after he was satisfied that it was all right, he thrust 
it into the lock, worked it about in a cautious manner, and 
at last had the satisfaction of seeing the lock fall off, and the 
irons removed. 

“Well done, my friend,” cried the stranger; “you have 
as much ingenuity as a Yankee.” 

“ Wal, ain’t I a Yankee ? ” retorted Hez. “ You didn’t go 
for to suppose that I was a pig-headed, beef-fed Englishman, 
did ye ? ” 

The stranger laughed, as he answered, — 

“ You are complimentary to my countrymen, I must con- 
fess ; but I suppose they will forgive you. If they don’t, I 
will.” 

“He is not so prejudiced against our women as he is 
against the men,” retorted Murden, — a remark that made 
Hez blush, and look as silly as a sheep. 

“ 0 ! but few can withstand the influence of our ladies,” 
responded the stranger in a gallant tone, as he rubbed hia 
limbs, and tried to restore the circulation to them. 

“And the Americans are especially susceptible to the 
tender passion,” Murden remarked, and cast a sly glance at 
me, which the stranger noted. 

“Ho, ho!” he said, with a pleasant smile, “we have 
another American in the person of that gentleman, have 
we ? Well, I like them, and wish there were more of them 
in this country. Hut how does it happen that I find two 


tTHE BUSHHANQEES. 


persons from tlie United States in tlie police service in tihii 
country ? ” 

“ I have already told you that I am not in the police ser* 
vice,” I said. 

“ 0, so you did ; I had forgotten,” the stranger replied, 
in a careless manner, and continued to chafe his wrists ; and 
while he was thus employed, I took a second survey of the 
man, and in spite of the dirt which covered his garments, 
and the general neglect of his toilet, I could not help feeling 
that the stranger was a gentleman — one who had moved 
in good society, and had been accustomed to respect and 
deference. 

But Murden soon set all doubts at rest ; for after he had 
directed that the bodies of the dead should be searched and 
buried, and our own wounded attended to in as comfortable 
a manner as possible, he asked the stranger, in his usual 
business-like, policeman style, a series of questions. 

“Pray, sir, what is your name?” the commissioner de- 
manded, taking out a book and making a note. 

The stranger stopped chafing his wrists, and looked up. 

“ 0, my name you want, do you ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“Well, it is Byefield.” 

“ Have you either trade or profession ? ” 

The stranger laughed. 

“ To tell you the truth, I regret to state that I was not 
brought up to either. My parents had some vague idea 
that I should play the part of a gentleman.” 

“ As this is not a country in which gentlemen flourish, I 
shall have to require a statement more definite,” the com- 
missioner remarked. “ The fact of it is,” he continued, “ it 
U for me to determine whether you belong to the gang, or 
was a prisoner, as you state.” 

•* I think that I have proof enough of the latter ; ” and 
Mr. Byefield pointed to the irons which had been removed 
from his hands and feet. 

“Ah, but those amount to nothing. Keeler would have 
served any mutinov.s member of his gang in the same way. 


THE BARONET’S ADVENTURES. 


225 


** True, I did not tliink of tliat ; ” and the prisoner began 
once more 1o chafe his wrists, as though that was all the work 
ho had in his mind at the time. 

Murden winked at me, as much as to say, “ We have a 
queer customer here,” and then continued the interrogations : 

“ I must have direct answers to aU my questions.” 

The pri^ner looked up, as though surprised at the remark. 

“ If such is the case, I am bound to answer them ; ” and 
Mr. Byefield smiled in a quiet, subdued sort of manner, as 
though he had no secrets from the police. 

“ Well, sir,” continued Murden, making an effort to wr’te ' 
in his note-book, “ be pleased to give your name in full.” 

“ Well, sir, I did hope to escape such a necessity, for I 
have no relish for notoriety. I came here to attempt to 
accomplish certain objects, and I fear that if my name is 
known my purposes will be defeated.” 

“ Ah,” cried Murden, with a sniff like a war-horse, “ you 
are a London detective ; I know you are.” 

A smile, but rather a contemptuous one, passed over the 
sunburnt face of Mr. Byefield ; but Murden did not notice 
it. He was too much excited at the thought of having met 
a brother officer. He held out his hand, but Mr. Byefield 
did not seem inclined to take it. 

“ Perhaps I can help you,” Murden continued. “ The 
whole force of the police shall be at your disposal if neces- 
sary.” 

“ Thank you ; but before you make many promises, let 
me undeceive you. I am not a London detective.” 

“The dickens you ain’t!” 

“ No, sir.” 

: “ Then who in thunder are you ? ” 

Murden was so much disappointed that he was growing 
I impolite. 

“ I am called,” the stranger said, in a calm tone, and 
I with all the dignity of a thorough-bred gentleman, “ Sir 
William Byefield, of Lancaster, England, where I have 
estates which have been held by my ancestors for the yasi 
fix hundred years.” 


THE BUSHBANGEBS. 


S2$ 

0 rank, whtt charms thou hast for an Englishman I Kcit 
the sons of Great Britain will humiliate themselves before 
thee, and kiss the ground on which thou walkest! And 
Murden, into whose mind I had endeavored to instil the 
principles of republicanism, and a most hearty contempt 
for aU the extravagant forms of royalty, felt the influence 
of rank and a name, even as announced by the individual 
before us, dirty as he appeared to my eyes. The commis- 
sioner stepped back and raised his hand to his hat, in token 
of respect, — for titles were not so plenty in Australia as 
in London, — and then asked, in a tone that was the very 
essence of respectftdness, — 

“ Sir William, can you give me any proof that such is 
your rank? You will excuse me for asking'; but recollect 
I am a police officer, and feel compelled by duty to make 
inquiries.” 

The stranger laughed a frank sort of laugh ; such a one 
bis he would have uttered if his butler had asked if he 
iwuld have ten pounds until the next quarter day. 

“ The proof of my statement will depend very much upon 
the contents of my valise, which I believe the bushrangers 
deposited in the cave. I do not know but they have 
destroyed all my papers. If they have not, you will find 
ample evidence that my report is true. At any rate, the 
bushrangers seemed to know my worth, for they offered to 
ransom me for the sum of one thousand pounds sterling ; 
and, faith, they would have got it if you had not rescued 
me, for I had at length concluded to send an order to Mel- 
bourne for that amount. The courier left yesterday^ but 
the order was not payable until ten days after date. Now, 
Mr. Commissioner, if you will send for my valise. I’ll see 
what there is in it.” 

Murden despatched a man without delay, and he returned 
with the article. The baronet opened his valise, and found 
some of his papers unmolested, while others appeared to 
have been removed, which caused him to utter expressions 
of impatience and annoyance. 

“ Nothing lost, I hope, Sir William,^!, cried Murdeii^ “If 


THE BAEONET’S ADVENTUEES. 


227 


Hie rascals have dared to steal any of your impcrtant doc- 
uments, m follow them all over the country, but FU bring 
them to justice/^ 

“ Yes, I have no doubt but you will, Mr. Officer,” re- 
turned the baronet, in a careless tone, as though such 
homage was his due ; “ but there is one paper which is of 
no value to any person excepting myself. It was simply a 
description ; and yet, strange to say, it is gone.” 

“ Look around, men, and see if yoa can find it,” the com- 
missioner cried; and in obedience to the order, the men 
commenced peering into every bush and through the cave ; 
but they were not successful. In the mean time Sir William 
had gathered up a handful of letters and thrust them into 
Murden’s hand. 

“ K you will take the trouble to read some of those, you 
will bo satisfied that I am the person I represent myself 
to be.” 

“ These papers are perfectly satisfactory. Sir William,” 
the commissioner said, “ and I feel glad to be able to offer 
you any assistance in my power, although your visit to Aus- 
tralia is a — ” 

“ Secret, sir,” was the answer. “ I did not come hero 
for gold. I did not come here to examine the country ; but 
what I did come for' must remaia unknown to you, for the 
present, at least, although the time may come when you will 
be able to help me.” 

“ I hope so. Sir William,” was the reply. “ I should 
be proud to render you some assistance. You can depend 
upon me.” 

“ I have not the least doubt of it, sir,” the baronet replied, 
with a wave of his hand, as though it was an honor to serve 
a man of good blood, even without the hope of reward ; and 
then Sir William, as though he had performed his duty in 
acknowledging Murden’s offer of assistance, turned to me, 
and said, — 

“ It is a little singular, Mr. American, that I did not rec- 
ognize you when first we met. I am sure Lady C— 
described you in the most accurate manner. She has a nice 


228 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


sense of gratitude, and eacH time that she looks at her dia- 
monds she blesses your name.” 

“ I hope that she still recollects me, Sir William,” Mur- 
den said. 

“ Yes, I suppose so ; although she did not appear to 

revere your name. I have no doubt that Lady C is 

profoundly grateful to you. Egad ! a woman should be.” 

“By the way, Mr. Commissioner,” the baronet cried, 
“ will you send one of your men to the city and stop that 
draft ? I’ll write the order immediately.” 

“ Certainly, Sir William.” 

The baronet was about to do so, when we heard a roar of 
laughter from the men ; and on looking up we saw so strange 
a spectacle that we could not help joining in the merriment. 
The cause of it was Mother Brown, who had slept through 
the din and racket, and had just awakened to consciousness, 
and staggered into the open air. 

For a moment the woman looked around with semi-sobriety 
and semi-drunken gravity, and then, as her glance fell upon 
Sir William, she uttered a shrill shriek, and tumbled to the 
ground ; and so heavily did she fall that the earth shook 
when she touched it. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 

MOTHER brown’s MYSTERY. — A SEARCH FOR GOLD. — A 
TERRIBLE 8T7RFRISE. 

I DID not understand why Mother Brown should shriek 
and tumble to the ground. She certainly had seen nothing 
to alarm her, with the exception of the police uniforms ; so 
I was forced to conclude that her illness was produced 
through strong drink. In the mean time she was lying on 
the ground like a log, and in a most uncomfortable position ; 
and the men, instead of lending her some assistance, were 


MOTHER BROWN’S MYSTERY. 22^ 

laughing at the sight, for they considered her beyond the 
scale of humanity, and were too much accustomed to such 
sights to care for them. But I was determined' that she 
should not suffer, so I ran towards her, straightened out her 
limbs and neck ; and then threw cold water upon her face, 
and sent one of the officers to the stream for more ; but 
before he returned Mother Brown gave seme evidence o^ 
life, and at last sat up, and stared at me in a wild sort of 
manner, as though she did not recollect to have seen me 
before. 

“ Where’s Keeler ? ” she asked. 

“ He’s fled. The traps have driven him away, after kill- 
ing some of his men. He won’t come back again.” 

She looked at me for a moment without uttering a word ; 
but at last her mind seemed to comprehend something, for 
she said. 

“Ah, here is the lad that I saved from the hands of 
Keeler and his gang. Sure it was a luck trick-of mine; 
and that old dress that disguised ye, ought to be well- 
paid for.” 

“ Have patience, and you shall have the best frock that I 
can purchase in Melbourne. Don’t think that I have for- 
gotten the manner in which you saved my life.” 

“ Ah, yes ; now I remember. I saved ye on Jenny’s ac- 
count. Had it not been for me,nivera bit would she have 
knowed ye for a husband. Yes, lad,” the old woman chuckled, 
“ I know the blue-eyed lass, and I’ll help yer with her. 
Ah ! ye may smile, but I can do more than ye think for. 
Time will come when ye will say so.” 

While she was speaking. Sir William approached the 
group. I saw Mother Brown’s eyes rest upon the baronet’s 
face, but only for a moment ; but that brief time was suffi- 
cient to satisfy me that she had met him at some period of 
hei life, and was now desirous that he should not recollect 
her. I don’t know what made me think so. I am sure that 
Sir William did not appear to regard her in the light of an 
acquaintance, for I saw on his aristocratic face only an 
expression of deep disgust, but no sign of recognitico. 


2S0 


THE BUSHRANGEES. 


Mother "Brown turned her head as soon as she met the ear^ 
nest gaze of the baronet, and I saw her pass her hands over 
her eyes, and heard her murmur, — 

“ Indade, then, I did not drame it. It is himself.’* 

Just at this instant Sir "William happened to pass near, 
when she shuddered as though she had seen a ghost. She 
turned abruptly away, so that he did not notice her face, and 
then retired to the cave in a precipitate manner. No one, 
excepting myself, noticed her movements ; so there was no 
remark made by the men. As Mother Brown gained the 
entrance of the cave, she turned and motioned for me to 
come near her. I obeyed the summons ; and when I was 
within whispering distance I saw her face had undergone a 
great change. She appeared to be perfectly sober, as 
though she had experienced some shock of an unexpected 
kind, which had driven the liquor entirely from her head. 
Her face, naturally red, was pale ; and her limbs trembled. 

“ My boy,” she whispered, “ I must lave this place. Can 

I go?” 

“ Yes ; but where do you wish to go to ? ” 

Niver a bit do I know. But I must lave, though, for all 
that. I can’t stay here another hour. It would kill me.” 

“ Can you ride ? ” I asked. 

“Yes.” 

I tore a leaf from a note-book, and wrote to Smith, ask- 
ing him to let his wife see that Mother Brown was properly 
^ dressed and cared for until my return. This I gave to her, 
and to prevent her losing it she pinned it to her dress 

“ Do you know the way to Smith’s farm ? ” I asked. 

“ Sure I do. It’s in the valley.” 

“ Yes. Go there and wait for me.” 

“ I will. Anywhere, to lave here.” 

“ And mind that you keep sober.” 

“ Niver a drop will I touch, even if whiskey is offered me.” 

“ That is right. Now follow me.” 

I led the way down the hill, no one excepting Murden 
and Hez noticing me. We reached , the place where thf 


4 


A SEARCH FOR GOLD. 231 

horses were tied. Two men were with them, and they were 
somewhat astonished at our appearance. 

“ Which horse belonged to Jones ? ” I asked. 

“ This one, sir ; ** and the policeman pointed to a stout cob. 

“ Poor fellow ! he will never want him again. Lead the 
animal this way.” 

After Mother Brown was mounted, and her garment ad- 
justed in a satisfactory manner, I turned the head of the 
horse in the direction of Smith’s house, and told her to 
hurry on and wait for me. I saw her disappear, and then I 
once more rejoined my friends. 

” Where is the woman ? ” asked Murden. 

“ I have sent her to Smith’s house for a fit-out of cloth- 
ing,” I replied. 

“ The deuce you did ! WTiy, she’s a prisoner 1 ” 

“ Well, you’ll find her when you want her company.” 

The sun was beating down most intensely, so that the 
men were glad to seek shelter under the shade of the bushes 
and stunted trees, where they could smoke their pipes or 
sleep, just as they pleased. But Murden and I did not care 
for a nap just at that time, although we pretended that wo 
needed one. We had other business to look after as soon 
as the men had closed their eyes and lost consciousness. 
We were anxious to solve the mystery of the cave. Wo 
longed to stir the earth in one corner, and sec if Keeler had 
removed his treasures, and mentally I was calculating how 
much they would amount to. WTiile I was indulging in such 
a reverie, Murden poked me with his elbow. 

“ Come,” he whispered ; “ we’ll visit the cave, and see if 
anythiog turns up. Softly, now ; don’t make a noise.” 

We walked towards the cave in a quiet and cautious man- 
ner. No one noticed us, nor was a single head raised. We 
entered the cave, listened moment to see if any one 

had followed us ; and when we found that no one had, wo 
commenced removing the clothes which covered tho spot 
where I supposed the treasure was buried. 

“ The earth has recently been disturbed here,” whispered 
Murden, as he felt with his hands, and discovered howloosi 


232 


THE BUSHRANGEES, 


the ground seemed. “ I wonder if that cunning cuss haf 
carried off his plunder. If he has, I’ll never forgive him.” 

While Murden was speaking, he was scraping away the 
earth, digging it up with a stick which he found near the pile 
of clothes. 

“ Can’t you find a shovel for me ? ” the commissioner 
asked^ “ It’s such deuced slow work with a stick.” 

“ I think so. At any rate. I’ll see what I can do ; ” and I 
crossed to the other side of the cave, and searched around, but 
found nothing excepting a large spoon. Just as I was about 
to stoop and pick it up, I heard some one breathing hard, as 
though laboring under considerable excitement, or else under 
much fatigue. I thought it was the commissioner ; so I said : 

“WTiatin heaven’s name is the matter with you ? Have 
you found the gold ? ” 

“ No ; but I’m hard on to it. Hurry up something for me 
to dig with.” 

I tossed him the spoon, and he recommenced work, throw- 
ing out the dirt with much eagerness. 

“ Thunder ! I wish that I had a shovel,” muttered the 
commissioner. 

I was standing, looking over my friend’s shoulder, when 
the remark was made, and to my intense astonishment a deep 
bass voice just back of me said, “ How will this suit you ? ” 

I turned and saw, within two feet of me, with a cocked 
irevolver in each hand, the vigorous form of Keeler. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

A. VISIT rnOM KEELEE. HE IS UBGENT FOE OUE COMi^ 

PAITV. — DOINGS AT POINT LOOKOUT, 

I don’t think I was ever more surprised in my life than I 
was when I turned so suddenly and saw the villanous fea- 
tures of Keeler. I couldn’t help staggering back a pace or 
two ; and in this operation I stepped upon Murden’s feet, 
which provoked from him an oath. 




“And I shall claim the whole 1" said the deep bass voice of Keeleft — 

Page 233. 


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A VISIT FROM KEELER. 


233 


What in time are you about ? ” demanded Murden, who, 
strange to say, such was bis eagerness in searching for gold, 
had not heard the bushranger. “ Hang it, man, can’t you 
keep off of my feet, when I’m near one of the boxes ? ” 

I could not respond to that subdued shout of congratu- 
lation. 

“ Do y ju hear me ? ” demanded Murden. “ I have found 
something. It is heavy, and I’ll wager it is full of dust.” 
As he spoke, he got up from his knees, holding the can in 
his hands, and so intent upon examining it that he did not 
even notice Keeler. “ I shall claim one third, old feller,” 
the commissioner continued. “You know the bargain wo 
made.” 

“ And I shall claim the whole ! ” said the deep bass voice 
of Keeler. 

Murden looked up, and for the first time saw the bush- 
ranger and his threatening attitude. Of course the commis- 
sioner was surprised, but he did not quail. He was an Eng- 
lishman, and I will give them the credit of being brave in the 
presence of danger. 

“ Hullo ! ” said Murden ; “ where in the fiend’s name did 
you come from ? ” 

“ Speak in a lower tone,” cried Keeler, in a hoarse whis- 
per ; “ and while you speak, remember that I am armed, 
that I am desperate, and that I expect to lose my life ; but 
I will take yours in return.” 

“ That’s mighty considerate on your part,” the commis- 
sioner replied; “but before I die. I’d like to know how 
you passed my pickets, so that after I’m dead I can haunt 
the men who neglected their duty.” 

“ Your men looked sharp enough,” Keeler answered, “ but 
they did not happen to see me when I passed them. I am 
well acquainted with the neighborhood, and thought that I 
would return and secure the treasure which I had buried for 
future use. It appears that I arrived just in time.” 

“ So it seems. Now take your money and be off ; ” and 
Murden rolled the can towards the bushranger, and spoke in 


234 


THE BUSHEAI^GEES. 


Bnch a cool tone that I thought the fellow would leave ns ; 
but I was mistaken. 

“ When I go, you will go with me,” was the quiet remark 
of the robber. 

“ But suppose I decline your invitation ? ” Murden said. 
“ I have no desire for your society, unless you yield as a 
prisoner.” 

“ That I shall not do. You are mine, and I shall hold 
you. When I leave this cave, you and your spying compan- 
ion will go with me. If either of you make the least noise, 
I shall end your days in short order, although my own life 
pays the forfeit of the act. Now be warned in time. My 
revolver is loaded, and never failed me. If you resist, and 
raise an alarm, waking your companions, they will rush in 
only to find two corpses. I shall escape.” 

“ How ? ” demanded Murden, in a sullen tone. 

“ No matter how. But I give you my word that I can 
disappear with wonderful rapidity.” 

“ I’d like to see you do it,” the commissioner remarked. 

A grim smile passed over Keeler’s face. He relished just 
such coolness. ^ 

“ When I go, you will go with me. My men are thirsty 
for revenge. They have lost comrades through your pur- 
suit, and they will feel better if they can see you experience 
some of the tortures which their friends have suffered.” 

“ Thank you kindly for your good intentions, but I don’t 
choose to leave the cave in your company ; ” and Murden 
folded his arms, and looked determined. 

A flush of anger passed over Keeler’s face. He raised 
his revolver, and seemed determined to blow out the com- 
missioner’s brains ; but a better thought restrained him. 

“ No,” he said, I’ll not kill you just at present. I came 
here for my dust. There is more of it in that hole. Dig, 
and take it out.” 

“ Suppose we divide it, and cail it all right ? ” the commis- 
sioner asked. ‘ You can take your share, and go to the 
devil with it if you like.” 


KEELER IS URGENT FOR OUR COMPANY. 


231 


cool rejoinder. “ But we waste time in arguments. 
comrades arc waiting for me. If I remain much longer, 
they Tvull think that some misfortune has happened to me^ 
and possibly venture upon a rescue.’’ 

** I wish they would,” cried the commissioner. “• My boys 
would handle them in such a lively manner, that they would 
be glad to run a second time. Can’t I persuade you to lit 
them come ? ” 

“ Dig,” replied the ruffian, who did not relish such joking ; 
and as he spoke he raised his revolver and looked most 
hreatening, as though his wiU was good enough ; but pru- 
lence restrained him from firing, for he knew that he would 
mdanger his own life. 

“ 0, you want me to dig, do you ? ” the commissioner 
iskevl, in a sullen tone, as though just awakened from a 
deep sleep. 

The bushranger stamped Lis foot with impatience. “ Time 
IF precious — dig ! ” 

The pistol was pointed at Murden’s head. He did not 
offer to resist its threatening influence, but dropped on his 
knees and re-commenced removing the dirt from the hole 
where the treasure was buried. Keeler remained at a con- 
venient distance from us, and watched all motions with the 
sagacity of a tiger. Murden had not thrown out more than 
half a bucket full of dirt, when his iron spoon struck upon 
iiome solid substance. 

“ Here it is ! ” cried the commissioner, in his enthusiasm 
forgetting the presence of Keeler. He threw out a few 
more spoonfuls of eai-th, and then lifted a large tin can, sUwh 
as preserved meats are put in. The can was nearly a foot 
long, and so heavy that it required most of Murden’s strength 
.0 raise it from the hole. 

‘‘Goodness! but it is heavy. There must be nearly fifty 
pounds of dust in that can,” Murden cried, and then stood 
ap and faced the bushranger. 

“ There is all of that in the can,” was the quiet reply. 

And now that you have brought it to light, just pick it up 
tnd lead the way out of the cave.” 


236 


THE BUSHEANGERS. 


“ Faith, m do that very readily ; ” for Murden thought 
there was but one entrance to the cave, and he was about to 
make a bolt for the outer world, when the bushranger stopped 
him in his cool, determined way. 

“ Excuse me, but you don t pass out in sight of your men. 
I should be green to permit such a course. There is another 
passage- way which we can take.” 

Harden said, “ 0, is there ? ” and looked a little dis- 
appointed. 

“ The one by which I entered. Come, follow me, an€ Fll 
show it to you.” 

“ m be hanged if I go I ” was the commissioner’s rough 
exclamation. “ Fve followed you far enough. Now shoot 
and be blessed, for I go no farther ! ” 

“You’ll follow me, sir,” Keeler said, and once more 
raised his revolver, and brought it to bear upon the com- 
missioner’s head — an act that did not alarm me much, for I 
had learned to read the bushranger’s face. 

Murden hesitated. He did not want to yield too soon, 
because he had said that he would not leave the cave. He 
wanted the privilege of arguing for a moment, partly in 
hopes th&t some of his men would enter the cave and rescue 
us, and partly in hopes that Keeler would take his treasure 
and run with it. We were just opposite the front entrance, 
or rather the bushranger was there, and we within two feet 
of him. Keeler could notice if any one offered to enter 
the cave, and take measures accordingly. But of that 
there was not much danger ; for the men were tired, the 
sun was hot, and it was probable that they would sleep or 
doze until the air was cooler. Therefore, as we stood, Kee- 
ler’s back was towards the secret entrance, while we faced 
it. He was for retreating into it step by step, drawing us 
along ; and we should have reached it in a few seconds if 
Murden had not grown rebellious, and declared that he would 
not move — a remark which caused the argument, in the 
shape of a revolver, to be once more raised and pointed at 
my friend’s head. 

As I said before, Hurden’s English-like obstinacy delayed 


DOINGS AT POriTT LOOKOUT. 


237 


ttfl for some time, — that is, when we count seconds as hours, 
— and enabled a very pretty little diversion to be made in 
our favor, but from a quarter that we least expected, and by 
a man whom we thought a prisoner. But to understand the 
matter thoroughly, we will leave our party standing in the 
centre of the cave, in no pleasant position, while we return 
for a short time to Point Lookout, and see what had taken 
place there. 

It will be remembered that we left the two bushrangers, 
Bob and Alf, whom we captured on Point Lookout, in the 
charge of Tom Spitman. Well, after we were gone, Tom 
began to feel lonesome for the want of amusement. He 
forgot, in a •measure, his promise and instructions ; and as 
he sat looking at the two bushrangers, he imagined what a 
chance it was for roasting them ; and then he laughed as he 
thought how they would squirm when the flames reached 
their bodies. In fact he approached Bob, and felt of his 

ribs and stomach, which caused the robber to ask, 

“ What in thunder do you want to do that for ? 

“Never you mind what I’m doin’ it for,” was the reply. 
“ You jist keep still, and don’t make a noise.” 

“ Bo you want to see how fat I am ? ” asked Bob. 

Well,^such is my intentions ; ” and Tom once more poked 
his victim’s ribs, and then turned his attention to Alf, which 
caused that grim old bushranger to utter the most fearful 
oaths and imprecations upon the head of his guardian. 

“ Keep still,’ said Tom, who found that owing to the rest- 
lessness of the man he could not detect the condition of his 
ribs. ^ “ If you don’t keep still,” Tom continued, in a tone 
that indicated a resolution to do him some damat^e, “ the 
worse for you.” ° 

But the grisly old bushranger had no notion of keeping 
still; and as Tom continued to feel of his ribs, and punch 
Wm in various parts of his body, Alf lost aU patience. 
Ue managed to draw up his feet, manacled though they 
were, ana firmly planted them in Tom’s breast; and the 
effect was to send the fellow rolling over and over fer some 
distance. 


9 


288 


THE BUSHKANGEES. 


“ Blast you,” Tom muttered ; “ FU make you sweat for 
this, you see if I don’t.” 

“ Let me help you,” cried Bob, who pretended to have 
espoused Tom’s cause, and knew too much to laugh when 
Tom was knocked over by Alf’s huge feet. 

“ Ah, how’s that ? ” asked Tom, a new idea seeming to 
strike him. 

“ Why, you just let me out of these ’ere darbies, and 
then we can have some fun with the old feller,” Bob said, in 
an insinuating tone. 

. Alf uttered a horrid oath, and growled at his comrade for 
deserting him. 

“ But you’ll run away,” said Tom, who appeared to think 
favorably of the scheme. 

“ No, I won’t. On my honor, you know.” 

“ I was told by that bloody young swell,” Tom said, after 
a moment’s thought, “ not to hurt you ; so I won’t ; ’cos if I 
did, he’d come down on me like bricks. He’sdangerous 
when he’s riled. I heard the commissioner say so. He’d 
shoot me like a mice if I burned you.” 

“ What do you mean by burning a cove ? ” asked Bob, 
who had wit enough to see that he was making an impres- 
sion. 

“ m show you in a minute. Jist roll yourself out of the 
way, so that I can come at this feller,” meaning the grisly 
old bushranger. Bob complied with the request, and Tom 
commenced gathering leaves, dried branches, and grass. 
With these he surrounded Alf, — the bushrangers watching 
"proceedings in a state of profound astonishment. 

“Blast you, and your arrangements, too !” shouted the 
old bushranger ; and he rolled himself outside of the circle 
which Tom had built around him. 

“ It's the worse for you, old cock,” cried Tom ; and he 
commenced rebuilding the magic circle ; but no sooner was 
it completed, than Alf, in the most ungrateful manner, rolled 
out of it, and swore horrid oaths at the man who had so 
patiently constructed the whole thing. 

By this time Tom began, to groj^angry. 



So it is, but I’ll majce it more jolly 





/• c 


• ^ 



4 




. • V 





f 

I ' 








I 


1 


t 


# 


/ • 





r 





DOINGS AT POINT LOOKOUT. 


289 


“ Hsing you ! ” lie said, “ you do that again, and Til roast 
you like a goose ; you see if I don’t. I only intended to 
scorch you ; but if you spile my work once more, I won t 
leave a pin-feather on yer.” 

“ Come here a minute, sir,” said Bob, “ and TU tell you 
how to manage him.” 

Tom went to him, when Bob whispered, “Just take me 
out of these irons, and I’ll hold him until the fire is under 
way ; and then what fun it will be to see him roll through 1 

Tom thought of the matter, and then asked, “ Won t you 
attempt to cut and run ? ” 

“ No, indeed ; and if I should, haven’t you got pistols ? 
Couldn’t you shoot me ? ” 

The temptation was too strong. Tom unlocked the irons, 
and took them off. 

“ Now you hold the old cove, while I get the things ready 
for a fire.” 

“ No ; you do that,” replied Bob, who dreaded the male- 
dictions of the old bushranger. 

Tom complied, and in a few minutes Bob had built up a 
circle of stuff, and then set fire to it. 

“ Hurrah ! ” yelled Tom, leaviug the body of the bush- 
ranger, and dancing outside of the circle for very joy. 
“ This is jolly,” he continued, as the old robber began to 
squirm under the infiuence of the fire. 

“ So it is, but m make it more jolly,” said Bob ; and 
with the words he gave Tom a vigorous push — one that 
sent him on top of the bushranger, where Alf held him with 
his teeth until both were pretty well scorched, Tom’s hair 
being all gone, and Alf’s beard entirely destroyed. 

Whan the fire went out they separated, and then it was 
discovered that the honest Bob had taken advantage of th* 
confusion, and left the scene. 


340 


THE BUSHBANaSRd. 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 

AH XTHEXPECTED VISITOE, BUT A PLEASANT* ONE. THE 

TEEA8XJKE. A GKEAT STJEPEISE. 

Tom was aware that it was useless to follow the fellow, for 
be knew all the mountain paths, and could easily elude all 
pursuit ; so he sat down, and looked at the bushranger, who 
was still lying on his back, smoky, grim, and sullen, and 
wondered how he should lie himself out of the scrape, and 
so escape severe punishment. And Alf looked at Tom, 
and thought how his old teeth did bite, but could not imagine 
where the fun was in being burned and smothered like a rat. 
In the mean time. Bob was bounding from rock to rock, leap- 
ing across chasms and over dead logs, leading in the direc- 
tion of the cave, but knowing that he could not reach that 
place before the police force, as the latter had had two hours 
the start. But some inward feeling urged him to take that 
course, although he knew that it was dangerous to do so. 

When Bob was within half a mile of the cave, he stopped 
and rested, and thought of the matter. It was not safe for 
him to approach the cave without reconnoitring, so that he 
should not be surprised and recaptured. He had no doubt 
that the traps would either capture his comrades or drive 
them off, and perhaps kill one half of them. If Keeler was 
out of the way, he no longer had a motive for remaining in 
the band. He would make some efforts to reform, and 
escape from the country as soon as possible. 

Bob started for the cave ; but he worked his way through 
the brush and trees in such a manner that he escaped the 
observation of the pickets which Murden had thrown out, 
and soon found himself in the secret passage-way. He 
crawled along on his hands and knees until he arrived at the 
cave, and then stopped and listened in astonishment, for 
he heard the low, threatening tones of Keeler, and after a 
few words had passed, knew that the robber chief had man* 


AS UNEXPECTED VISITOE. 


241 


Aged to get hold of his treasure and capture two prisoners 
at the same time. 

“ Keeler will kill that young swell, Bob muttered, “ and 
he has saved me many times. I will lend the young cove a 
helping hand.” 

As Bob muttered the last words he sprang from the mouth 
of the passage-way, just as Keeler had pointed his revolver 
at Murden’s head, and, with an angry scowl, intimated that 
w& must accompany him or die a sudden death. 

“ Hullo ! cap’n, don’t be violent,” cried Bob, whose ap- 
pearance had caused me the most intense surprise. 

As the lively young bushranger spoke in a careless tone, 
it was so sudden and entirely unexpected that Keeler lowered 
his arm and turned half round. I had expected such a result 
the moment Bob spoke, and was prepared for it ; for while 
Mur den was gathering his wits, and wondering what the 
devil it all meant, I had bounded forward, thrown my arms 
around the robber captain, and, with a twist of my right foot, 
knocked his feet out from under him, and down he went with 
% crash ; and as he struck the earth his revolver went off, the 
ball just grazing my arm, but doing no damage. The next 
instant I had wrenched the pistol from his grasp, even while 
he was attempting to cock it, so that he could take a second 
shot ; and with the butt of the weapon I struck the prostrate 
man a violent blow upon his temple, and so well delivered 
was it, that the bushranger did not make any more resistance, 
but just dropped his head and uttered a deep sigh. 

“ Gently, young swell,” cried Bob, who had not moved to 
assist his captain. “Don’t be violent, sir, if you please. 
He is human, sir, although I should judge you thought him 
made of iron. He can’t stand sich blows, and live.” 

Before another word of remonstrance had been uttered, 
the police officers, awakened from their naps by the report 
of the pistol, came rushing into the cave pellmell, sabres in 
hand, and revolvers ready to do instant execution. 

“What’s the row?” asked Lieutenant Maurice, who was 
at the head of the men. 

“ 0, nothing remarkable,” answered Murden, who had 


243 


THE BUSHBAK6EES. 


fiiUy recovered his presence of mind, and thrown the twi 
cans of treasure behind some clothes which were lying on 
the floor, so that his officers should not see what we had 
been searching for. “ These two men thought they would 
surprise us ; but we rather got the best of it, and astonished 
them.” 

The policemen did not know what to do or say ; so they 
■tared at Keeler and at Bob. 

“ Tm blessed if this isn’t the feller what we left in charge 
of Tom,” Maurice remarked, giving Bob a whirl round, 
which the bushranger took in good part, and grinned an 
acknowledgment of the charge. 

Murden started, and would have rushed forward for an 
investigation ; but I stopped him by a sign. 

“ Put the irons on these men,” I said. “ We must secure 
them and keep them.” 

“ Egad ! I think we wiU,” Murden exclaimed, in a tri- 
umphant tone. “ Put on double irons.” 

Bob looked at me as though wondering if I would consent 
to that, but I pretended not to notice him ; and while the 
officers were securing him I walked out of the cave, so that 
I could compose my thoughts, and manage some plan for 
Bob’s relief. I passed on to the fire, lighted my pipe, and 
sat down under the shade of a balsam tree. While I sat 
smoking, the men brought out Keeler and Bob. The former 
had recovered consciousness, but did not look in the least 
humbled. His eyes were as bright, and his face as threaten- 
ing, as they appeared in the cave but a few minutes before. 
A small stream of blood was trickling dovrn his temple from 
the effect of the blow which I had given him ; but it only 
added to the robber’s determined look and fierce appearance. 
The police officers surrounded the bushranger, and examined 
the features of a man whom they had heard of so often, and 
who had always managed to elude their closest pursuit. 

“ Look a-here,” Maurice said, addressing the lively young 
bushranger ; “ how did you manage to slip the darbies off 
your feet and hands, and escape from Tom’s custody ? ” 

“ Why, he wanted me to assist him,” was the reply. 


AS UNEXPECTED VISITOE. 


243 


“ In doing what ? ” 

“ 0, in getting up a little bit of fireworks on his aeon ant.” 

The officers all laughed. They knew Tom’s predilection 
for fire. 

“ Tell us all about it,” Maurice said. 

Bob told the story in his own peculiar manner, which 
elicited shouts of laughter from those who listened to him ; 
and when he concluded with a humorous description of the 
manner in which he had sent Tom heels over head into the 
circle of fire, right on top of Alf, even Murden and Sir 
William were compelled to join in the laugh, and to acknowl- 
edge that Bob was smart, and had obtained a decided ad- 
vantage over the fire-loving servant. 

“ But I’ll thrash him within an inch of his life when I next 
see him,” Murden said. “ lie has disobeyed orders.” 

“ I rather think he’s smarting enough. He’ll look like a 
singed cat. I don’t suppose that he’ll forgive me, but I can 
bear it if he don’t.” 

“ That man was never intended for a robber,” remarked 
Sir William, as we turned away from the scene. “ He is too 
jolly for a bushranger. I believe that he is the most decent 
of the gang.” 

“ I know that such is the case. To him I owe my life ; 
and I’m not one to forget a debt of gratitude.” 

“ Then why not obtain a pardon for the fellow ? ” 

“ The task is no light one.” 

“ I know it. But, to tell the truth, the rascal did befriend 
me when I was captured on my way to Ballarat, and through 
his aid I was enabled to save some papers of value ; and, as 
you are grateful, why, so I’ll prove. I’ll join you in obtain- 
ing his pardon, or, at least, a probation order.” 

“ Agreed ; and, if we succeed, let us hope that our ef- 
forts will not be lost on the fellow. It’s his last chance 
for Hfe.” 

“ And he should understand that it is,” remarked the baro- 
net, in an impressive manner. 

W^e then separated — I to consult Murden as to the next 
move, and Sir William to stretch himself under the shade of 


S44 


THS BUSHEAKGSM. 


a tree. I put my arm tlirougli Murden’s, aud led him a short 
distance &om the men. 

“ How shall we manage to carry off Keeler’s hoard ? ” I 
asked. 

“ I have been thinking the whole subject over,” the com- 
missioner replied, “ and have coi^cluded that the best course 
we can adopt is to call Hopeful into our councils, and see 
what advice he can offer. He is good at suggestions.” 

“ So he is. Let us enter the cave, and lay the whole mat- 
ter before him.” 

We went in, called Hez, told him what we had found, and 
showed him the cans. At first he would not believe us ; but 
after we had convinced him that the cans were really filled 
with dust and gold coin, his joy was extravagant and most 
heartfelt. 

“ Why, there’s thousands of dollars in them ’ere 1 ” Hez 
cried, his eyes opened to their widest extent. 

“We are aware of it. We want the money for our own 
use ; and, to enable us to keep it, you must help us.” 

“ Am I to share in all that ? ” asked Hez, with trembling 
eagerness. 

“ Yes ; provided you do your part of the work in secur- 
ing it.” 

“ I have it,” said Hez, in an eager tone. “ We will wrap 
our blankets around it, and strap it on behind our saddles.” 

“ It’s our only chance,” replied Murden. “ If we leave it 
behind us, we shall never set eyes on it again. We must 
carry it off Avith us.” 

“ Yes, even if I have to swaller it, and then heave it up,” 
cried Hez. 

“ Go and get your prisoners on horseback,” I said to 
Murden, “ and leave Hez and me to look after the cans. We 
will manage, in some manner, to blind the eyes of your 
men.” 

The commissioner left the cave to give the necessary 
orders ; to secure the prisoners, each one was strapped to the 
back of a burly police officer. Of course this caused some 
trouble, and took some time ; and while attention wac 


A GREAT SURPRISE. 


244 


iirected towards Keeler aod Bob, Ilez and I slipped down 
the mountain with the valnaMcs nn^lcr onr arms, sociired 
them to our saildic-bows, and tlien cave the signal to JMur 
don tiiat we were ready, lie took the Lint, and shouted 
out, — 

“ hy won't you cseort Sir William across the valley, 
and tell Smith tliat we shall want some supper and break- 
fast. It will save time, and hoi}) us.” 

AVe started on our journey, followed by Hover, who bad 
just returned from a hunt wiiiiout leave on my part, and 
therefore felt a little ashamed of himself; for had be been 
in the cave when Keeler appeared, the career of that adven- 
turous robber would suddenly have terminated, for the dog 
would have tliought no more of taking him hy the throat, 
than he would of taking a kangaroo, lie might Lave lost 
his life hy so doing, but the bushranger would not have lived 
to tell the story. 

“ A fine dog that,” remarked Sir William, as we crossed 
the brook, first allowing our horses to drink. 

“ Yes ; and I esteem and value him,” I replied. 

Just at this instant Hover sprang towards a clump of tall 
grass, or hummock, near the edge of the Hluck Forest, and 
as he hounded along, he uttered a deep buy. I knew his 
Calls too Well to edass it among his exjircssions of rage. 

‘'Holloa!” cried the baronet, “your dog has started 
eometiiing. A kangaroo, perhaps. J.et us give chase.” 

“ Hover does not bay like that when he meets a wild 
animal,” I answered, confidently. 

“ Well, let’s sec what it is, at any rate ; ” and the baronet 
touched his horse and galloped towards the spot. 

^\^3CTl wc arrived at the hummock. Hover wagged his tail, 
and looked as much as to say, “ Weil, this is a pretty go. 
1 don’t understand it.” 

1 jumped from my horse, pulled the grass one side, and 
then found, to my inlenao astouislimeut, that 1 was face tu 
face with Jenny Sykes, the handsome biue-cyed daughter of 
the Manchester Pet, the ex-prize-iighter. 


S46 


THE BUSHBANGEKS 


CHAPTER xxxvn. 

KISS JENinr AlO) HEE POSITION. — AS HANDSOME AND 
TTTLQAE AS EYES. 

As I pulled aside the bushes, Jenny looked up startled 
and frightened ; but when she caught sight of my face, I 
thiTih that she was as much astonished as myself, for I started 
back, and exclaimed, “Good heavens! Jenny, how came 
you here ? ” and before she could answer, or even rise from 
the sitting position which she had assumed for the purpose 
of concealment. Rover walked up to her, gave a snuflf, an<|j|^ 
then with his huge red tongue licked her face, as though he 
really liked it. 

“ I can answer none of your cjjj^ions,** was the haughty 
reply. 

“ Jenny,” I cried, in more humble tones than I thought it 
possible for me to use towards a bar-maid, even if she ^jere 
as handsome and virtuous as an angel, “ why can’t we be 
friends, and trusting ones at that I do not deserve this 
coldness and reproach, and you know it.” 

“You know that’s a lie. You can’t come the blarney 
over me, Mr. Spy,” the plain-spoken girl replied ; and I 
sighed when I heard such words issuing from a mouth that 
looked sweeter than the one that kissed Paris and Troy to 
destruction, for I don’t believe that fair Helen could have 
shown such white, even teeth and red lips as the bar-maid 
of Melbourne. 

I heard a sigh, a deep, painful one, at my side, and I 
turned to see who uttered it. Sir William was standing 
near, regarding the haughty face of the girl with so much 
attention that I felt a little jealous of his glances ; but I soon 
saw that it was not admiration for her beauty that caused 
that look of interest, for the baronet turned auay after a 
moment’s silence and stern gaze, with the lejuaik, - 

“ Such a jewel, and such a setting ! ” and just as he spoke 


MISS JENNY AND HER POSITION. 


247 


Miss Jenny, who had not relished Sir William’s aideiit gaze, 
said, with an impudent toss of her pretty head, — 

“ Don’t eat me up with your eyes — or didn’t you ever see 
a woman like me afore ? ” 

“ Hush, Jenny,” I said. “ The gentleman meant no of- 
fence.” 

“ Well, don’t let him stare at me in that way. I ain’t 

a wild animal.” 

“Toll me, Jenny,” I said, as Sir William turned away, 
“ what brought you into this part of the country ? ” 

“ My legs,” was the answer. 

“You know what I mean. Miss Jenny,” I continued. 
“ How happens it that I meet you in this lonely spot ? ” 

“ The meeting ain’t none of my seekin’. It ain’t likely 
that I would run towards the cove what jugged my dad.” 

“You grow worse and worse,” I exclaimed, in a pettish 
manner. “ Do for Heaven’s sake leave off uttering such 
slang.” 

“ Why should I ? ’Tain’t to please you that I is here. I 
comes here for — ” 

She stopped short, and tossed her handsome head like a 
well-bred racer when in the company of a cart-horse. She 
was determined to treat me with contempt at all hazards, 
and I was equally determined that she should not disgust mo 
or anger me in the least. 

“ You saw us coming, and so concealed yourself,” I said. 
“ Do you know the danger of this valley ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ That it is surrounded by bad men, who would not care 
the least for your beauty or your haughty ways, but would — ” 

“ Stop ! ” she said. “ If a man talked slang to me, Fd 
spit in his nasty face.” 

“ He’d care but little for that. On every side of you there 
are bushrangers, desperate men, who would treat you in a vile 
manner, and laugh at your tears. Come, J enny ; confide in 
me, and, believe me, I shall prove a kind protector.” 

She curled her lip in scorn at the offer. 

“ I ain’t afeard of men,” she said. “K they come near 


248 


THK BUSHfiANGBBS. 


me they’ll catch it. Pd scratch their eyes out in no time, 
No, sir; you look arter yerself, and let me alone.” 

“ I shall not leave you here alone,” I remarked, in a firm 
tone. “You would be stung to death with snakes before 
morning. See ; there is one gliding through the grass and 
heading this way.” 

I had touched her on a tender point. All women have a 
horror of snakes, and I don’t blame them for entertaining 
such a feeling ; for to encounter a reptile in the woods, or in 
a valley, is far from being agreeable to most people. Jenny 
was no exception to the general rule ; so, when she turned 
and saw a black snake with a white ring around its neck, 
with head erect, gliding towards us, the handsome bar-maid 
changed color, trembled for a moment, as though uncertain 
what to do, and then sprang towards me, and threw herself 
into my arms. 

“ Kill that blasted thing,” whispered the terrified maid. 
“ I don’t want it round me.” 

I heard a suppressed laugh, and I knew that Sir William 
and Hez were enjoying themselves at my expense. 

“ The lioness is conquered by a python,” Sir William said. 

“ Then Pll be darned ef it ain’t the fust time she ever 
took pity on ’im,” cried Hez, who misunderstood the mean- 
ing of the word python. 

I encircled the graceful waist of the girl with my left arm, 
and drew my revolver with my right hand. The snake con- 
tinued to advance, not in the least intimidated by the firm 
stand which I had assumed. As it neared us I saw at once 
that it was not a poisonous reptile — that its bite was not 
dangerous, although painful, owing to the length of its fangs. 

“ Don’t tremble so, Jenny,” I whispered, placing my lips 
as near her cheeks as I dared. “ I will protect you from all 
harm. The snake shall destroy me before it touches you.” 

Now there was not the slightest danger of my being de- 
stroyed, or of Jenny’s being harmed, unless she provoked 
the reptile to hostilities ; so when I told her that I would die 
for her, she just clung a little closer, and then I took a delib- 
erate aim and fired ; and I was fortunate enough to put a bak 


JENNY AS HANDSOME AND VULGAE AS ETER. 249 

through the neck of the snake, which caused it to tie itself 
up into hard knots, to lash the grass with its powerful tail, 
and then to stretch out and die. 

“ The danger is over, dear Jenny,” I whispered. “ The 
snake is dead.” 

“Well, I’m bloody glad of it;” and with these coarse, 
vulgar words upon her lips, the girl twisted her form from 
my arms, and once more her lovely face assumed a cold, 
disdainful look, as though she hated herself for the momen- 
tary weakness which had got the better of her naturo. 

“You see, Jenny, what you would be exposed to, if you 
remained in the valley over night,” I remarked. 

“ I see,” was the cold rejoinder. 

“ And you will go with us to some place of safety ? ” I 
continued. 

She hesitated, and looked up and down the valley with a 
perplexed air. 

“ Let me speak with her,” cried Sir William, coming for- 
ward. “ Perhaps the girl will listen to the words which a 
gray-haired man utters.” 

There was something in the voice and manner of Sir Wil- 
liam that caused Jenny to look up with a face that was 
frownless ; and as my eyes wandered from her countenance 
to that of the baronet’s, it suddenly flashed across my mind, 
that the mystery was at last solved. I had puzzled my brain 
for some hours to determine where I had seen face and eyes 
that resembled Sir William’s. The question was answered 
at last, and as the girl and baronet stood opposite to each 
other, the likeness appeared to be marvellous — one of those 
accidental coincidences which cannot always be accounted for. 

For a few seconds the parties looked at each other, 
Jenny apparently as much surprised at Sir William’s face, as 
he was at hers ; but at length the baronet recovered his self- 
possession, and said, — 

“ Young lady, you had better take advice, and such advice 
as my friend here offers. You can’t go forward, and you can** 
remain here, without danger. This is no place for one like 
you ; so gc with us, and we will see that you are taken care of.” 


350 


THiB BtJSaBANG£B8> 


“ Miss Jenny,” I said, “ I know your errand, and can teB 
you that it is a useless one. The bushrangers, whom you 
were sent to communicate with, are dispersed, and those who 
did not escape were either killed or taken prisoners. They 
will not venture in the vicinity of the cave for some days, so 
you can understand how necessary it is that you should go 
with us.” 

“ I didn’t want to see no bushrangers,” pouted Jenny, 
with her finger in her mouth, and a frown on her brow. 

“ You know that your father sent you here,” I continued, 
making a bold guess. 

She did not answer, but continued to suck her finger, and 
to frown at me. I knew I was on the right track, so I con- 
tinued : “ Keeler is a prisoner, and in the hands of the po- 
lice ; and Mother Brown, the only one who would be likely 
to protect your sex, is gone.” 

“And where has she gone to?” asked Jenny, with a 
start, and at the same time removing her finger from her 
mouth, and staring at me with her clear blue eyes. 

“ Across the valley ; ” and I pointed in the direction of 
Smith’s house. 

She turned and looked in the direction I indicated, and I 
saw that her resolution was shaken. She did not know what 
to do, or which way to turn. For a few moments I enjoyed 
her perplexity, for I knew that she must ultimately confide 
in me, or endure terrible hardships ; and I am sure I wished 
to save her from the latter. I was too sincere in my friend- 
ship to wish that she might suffer on account of a little wil- 
fulness. After a long pause, during which J enny had stared 
at the -ground as though it would solve some of her diffi- 
culties, she raised her head, and asked, — 

“If I go with you, can I see Mother Brown ? 

“ I am not certain on that point, but I think you will be 
enabled to. I will do all I can to bring you together.” 

“ Then I will go with you ; but I won’t stand any gammon, 
mind you.” 

“ If you is goin’ to take the gal along, you had better do 
It,” said Hez ; “ ’cos the purlice will overtake us, and then all 


AS HANDSOME AND VULHAB AS EVEB. 251 


hands will have questions to ax, and all will want to see her 
ride. I’d hurry if I was you, and cared for the gal.” 

For the first time I began to wonder how I was to trans- 
port J enny across the valley. She could not walk, for her 
shoes were nearly gone, and her feet were bleeding where 
she had torn them in the brush, and with the rank grasses 
which grew near the small streams that ran through the valley. 
There was no help for it — I must take her on my horse. 

“ Will you ride before or behind me ? ” I asked, 

She pouted, and made no reply. I saw that a little urging 
was necessary. I took her hand and led her to my horse, 
and then lifted her to the saddle, adjusting her clothes 
around her small feet and delicate ankles ; and before she 
had recovered from her surprise, I had sprung up behind 
her, put my arms around her waist, and started the horse in 
the direction of Smith’s house. Jenny only uttered one 
word of remonstrance ; but I silenced her. 

“ Take your arms from my waist,” she said. 

“ And allow you to fall ? I shan’t do it ; ” and I tightened 
my embrace. 

Few were the words which we exchanged on the route, 
for Jenny seemed to be meditating on the failure of her 
mission, while I was thinking what it was about, and won- 
dering if she would not enlighten me. Once I spoke to her 
on the subject ; but she rather cut me short, as though to 
intimate that it was none of my business, and that I had 
better hold my tongue ; and, like a sensible man, I did. As 
soon as we reached the orchard. Smith and his family, Mrs. 
Brown and the dogs, came out to meet us, and gave us a 
warm welcome ; but no sooner did Mrs. Brown catch sight 
of Sir William, than she waddled back to the house as fast 
as her fat limbs could carry her ; while Miss Amelia ap- 
peared to be struck dumb at the sight of Jenny, whom 
I assisted to alight, and introduced to Smith and his wife ; 
and I would have done the same thing to Amelia, if she had 
not tossed her head and turned her back upon us, as though 
disdaining such company. 


fBJB BUSHttAHQXBd. 




CHAPTER XXXVni. 

k coquette’s contempt. — THE DISAPPEAEANCE. — iJlELU 
AND MOLOCH. 

When I lifted Jenny from her seat on the saddle, and in- 
troduced her to Smith and his wife, they extended their 
hands and treated the fair stranger like an equal, in spite 
of her shabby appearance and the accumulation of dust and 
dirt on her person. Miss Copcy, however, just turned her 
back and skipped towards the house. But she first made up 
a face at me, expressive of disgust at my conduct, although 
what there was to be disgusted at I could not imagine ; but 
girls are whimsical at times, and hard to understand. I 
stole a look at Jenny’s face as Amelia walked off; but 
I did not see manifested any of the indignation which a 
high-bred girl would have exhibited at the insult. Her 
large blue eyes followed Amelia’s form ; but there was no 
anger in those heavenly orbs. I saw a different kind of 
emotion, but one that was quite womanly. It was a feeling 
of envy, to think that Amelia was so much better clothed 
than herself — was cleaner looking in every respect, and 
had on a pair of neat-fitting shoes, which showed a small 
foot and ankle to much advantage ; while the shoes which 
J enny.wore were loose, broken, and entirely unworthy of 
the small treasures which they covered. 

Jenny had not been educated in the forms of polite so- 
ciety, and therefore did not know that she was insulted ; but 
Amelia had received a fair English education, and should 
have known better than to treat a poor sister in the way she 
did, and I determined to tell her so the first time I had % 
chance, even if she did not relish my remarks. But I did 
not manifest the least emotion as I turned and introduced 
Sir William to Mr. Smith and wife ; and it was amusing to 
see Smith’s eyes when I made the announcement. 

“ A baronight in my poor house ! ” ejaculated the stock- 


A COQUETTE’S CONTEMPT. 


253 


man. “ Good Heavens, what an honor for me and my 
children ! Eun, wife, and have the best room in the honse 
prepared for Sir William. Cook everything you can lay 
your hands on.” 

“ Shall I prepare some mutton ? ” whispered the wife. 

“ Mutton for a baronight ! ” cried the excited stockman. 
“ Hang mutton ! no.” 

Mrs. Smith saw that her husband was in earnest ; so she 
became as excited as her lord. For the first time in her 
life she saw a man of rank, and when she met Miss Amelia, 
who was mentally abusing my impertinence in introducing 
such an ill-dressed woman to her consideration, she ex- 
claimed, — 

“ 0, Amelia, only think of it ! that strange gentleman is a 
knight, and he’s come on a visit 1 ” 

“ I don’t care if he’s Mr. Hay,” pouted the young lady. 

I don’t want to see the tribe. To think that that hateful 
monster should bring a woman here. She’s none too good, 
m warrant you. I wouldn’t have her in the house; Fd 
send her a trooping, I tell you.” 

“You won’t understand me, you little flirt,” cried the 
married lady. “ The strange gentleman is a Sir William — a 
nobleman of much wealth, and he must have something to 
eat.” 

“ Hey ? ” cried Miss Amelia, pricking up her pretty ears. 

“ A real nobleman, child. A baronet.” 

“ Good Lord ! ” Amelia said, with a little shriek, “ is it 
possible ? Is he married ? I had better put on my new 
muslin, hadn’t I ? ” 

“ You’d better help me with the housework, you silly 
child,” the married sister replied; and then Miss Amelia 
pouted, and said that was just the way — she never had a 
chance to show her accomplishments before people who 
could appreciate them. 

“ 0, you provoking girl 1” suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Smith ; 
and with the words she pounced upon her sister, shook 
her in a brief manner, and then dronned her and ran to thf 
kitchen to give directions to the cool. 


S54 


THE BUSHBAEGEBE. 


“ "Well, of all things in this world I ” cried the indign&ni 
girl ; and then she relieved her feelings with a flood of tears, 
and they flowed the more freely because she thought that 
she was an ill-used woman. 

But while Amelia was wishing that she was married, 
dead, or some other dreadful fate, she heard our party ap- 
proaching the house. 

Out of the window she went, just before we entered the 
room, then ran round to the orchard, and threw herself 
under the shadow of a tree, and went to sleep, where we will 
leave her for the present. 

Smith preceded us as we entered the house. 

“ Welcome, most honored sir,” he cried. “ Beneath my 
humble roof I hope you will find repose and shelter. Never 
was I more honored, never — ” 

He stepped back, hit his heels against the stairs, — which 
were built out into the room, — and over he went, to the 
intense delight of Hez, who roared and stamped with joy, 
while Sir William suffered a smile to pass over his face, but 
it was only a transient one. Our host speedily recovered 
his feet, cursed the stairs, and then rushed out of the room 
to see how his wife was progressing with the supper, while 
Sir William sauntered to the window, looked out, and then 
turned suddenly, and asked, — 

“ What do you intend to do with that girl ? ” pointing to 
Jenny. 

“ Take care of her until she is returned to her home in 
Melbourne,” I answered. 

“ Humph ! A young man is not exactly a proper com- 
panion for a girl like her.” 

“ There is where we differ. I think that any man who 
will protect a girl’s honor is a companion that no woman 
need blush to have near her.” 

The next instant in rushed Smith, in a state of great ex- 
citement and perspiration. 

** Your room is all ready. Sir WiUiam. Sorry that it s no 
better. I’ve done the beet that I could. Plenty of water in 
the room to wash the dirt &om vour face. Sir William; and 


A COQtJBTTB‘S CONTEMPT, 


251 


If jou want to change yonr clothes, Tve laid oat a suit of 
that you can put on. Walk right up stairs, Sir William, 
and turn to the left.” 

The baronet, like a gentleman as he was, smiled and 
bowed, and expressed his thanks in a few words. Then he 
le^t the room, and navigated up the stairs, which were built 
m entirely new principles ; and those who ascended them 
often found, unless warned, that no sooner had they arrived 
at the top than they were transported to the bottom, to the 
great danger of neck and limbs. Sir William, however, had 
ample warning. He passed the Rubicon in safety, and 
entered his room. As soon as he had locked his door, I 
intimated to Smith that I wanted an apartment and clothes 
for my protegee. 

“ Mealy’s about her size,” the stockman replied, with a 
scrutinizing glance. “ Maybe this one is a little higher than 
t’other. If she has a room it must be the one that you had.” 

“ Let her have it, then. I will find a place to sleep.” 

■“Well, as for clothes, I don’t know as Mealy’s will fit; 
and, if they did, she’d make a rumpus if we took ’em.” 

Smith scratched his head, and looked a little serious. He 
knew the temper of his amiable sister-in-law, and rather 
stood in awe of her on account of her education and beauty. 
But I had no such feeling, although I was a little tender on 
the latter point ; so I said that I would stand between him 
and Amelia, and that satisfied the stockpian that his shoulders 
were safe. He knew that Amelia would not dare to show 
much of hci^temper to me, while she had not the least con- 
scientious scruples against giving her brother-in-law, who 
supported her, a piece of her mind. 

“Now, Jenny,” I said, “if you will retire to Miss 
Amelia’s room, she will provide you with more suitable 
apparel.” 

“Ain’t my dress good enough to suit you?” demanded 
the indignant young lady. 

I thought that Hez would kill himself, he laughed so 
heartily. 

“ rU send my wife up with the lass,” Smith remarkedi 


S66- the bubhbanqebr. 

seeing that Jenny was suspicious of us men.^ “You won’t 
be afeard of her, will you ? ” and the stockman laughed as 
though he had uttered a good joke. 

“ I ain’t afeard of no woman,” the inhabitant of Mud Lane 
replied ; and I think she spoke the truth, for there was a 
calm confidence in her eves that would have renelled mos* 
vicious men. 

Smith called his wife, and that amiable lady soon led 
Jenny up stairs, gave her such clothing as was needed, — 
all from Amelia’s wardrobe, which i intended to restore in 
so liberal a manner that she would have no cause to com- 
plain, — saw that the young girl was washed in a thorough 
manner, and that her poor, wounded feet were attended to, 
and then returned to her company, and glanced around ihe 
room as though expecting to see some one ; and when she 
found that she was disappointed, she asked her husband if 
he had seen Amelia. 

“ No ; I s’posed she was up stairs with you.” 

“ I have not seen her for at least two hours,” Mrs, Smith 
remarked, in a tone of alarm. 

It was now dark, and we were expecting the police squad 
every moment, supper having been cooked and kept waiting 
for them. The stockman looked a little wild at hearing such 
a report from his wife ; but if he seemed alarmed, his better 
half more than shared it, for she feared that some accident 
had happened to the girl — Amelia not being in the habit of 
absenting herself frdm the house, especially just towards 
evening. 

“ She can’t have gone to White’s, can she ? ” asked Smith. 

White was a farmer, their nearest neighbor, and lived one 
or two miles farther down the road. 

“ She wouldn’t have thought of such a thing,” hirs. Smith 
replied. “ You know she is very timid.” 

We looked through every room in the house, and in every 
closet and chest ; but Amelia, the pert, fair-faced, laughing 
Amelia, was not to be found ; and so our anxiety quickened 
into fear that she had wandered out in the valley and was 
bst, or that some accident had happened to her. In th# 


AMiSLlA Ain> MOLOCfi. 


257 


mean time, wliile the search is going on, we will return for 
a moment to the young lady whom we left asleep under a 
tree in the orchard — a very imprudent act on her part, and 
one that she would not have committed if she had not been 
grieved and angry at the sight of a face that rivalled her own 
in point of beauty. Well, perhaps the young lady slept ten 
minutes, and was dreaming that a box containing half a 
dozen dresses, all trimmed with ribbons and point lace, had 
just arrived from Melbourne, and that she was to have five 
of the best and smartest dresses, and her sister the remain- 
ing one, when a hand was laid on her white, graceful neck ; 
and opening her eyes, and attempting to start up, she found 
a man leaning over her, and that man was one whom she 
had no desire to see, for it was Moloch. Of course the 
young girl was startled to wake up and see that ruffian’s 
repulsive face close to her own ; and as she struggled to rise, 
she said, — 

“ 0, is this you, Moloch ? Have you come back ? ” 

“Yees, I’se come back;” and the ruffian grinned, but 
never offered to release his hold of her throat, as though be 
feared she would utter a cry that might attract attention. 

“ Mr. Smith will be glad to see you,” Amelia remarked, 
although she knew she was uttering a falsehood. 

“ Yees,” grinned the brute ; “ but I don’t vant to sees Mr. 
Smith, and he don’t vant to sees me.” 

“ 0, but he does.” 

The ruffian chuckled, and looked at her flushed face with 
an admiring glare, more like the glance of a satyr than a 
man. Amelia noted the look, and her little heart trem- 
bled ; but she kept up an outward show of composure, even 
if she did not feel it. 

“ Do take your hand from my throat, Moloch,” the young 
girl said. “ You hurt me with your rough fingers.” 

“ Yees ; and if I does take it away you vill jist yell, and 
that I von’t stand.” 

“ No, I won’t cry out,” the girl said, although she meant 
to do so the first opportunity. 

“ Vot men is in the house ? ” 


¥HK fiUSHBASQSSS. 




“ Why, the same ones who were there when you attempt- 
ed to — ” She nearly said “ murder,” but checked herself 
in time, and continued, “ when you left us.” 

“ The traps ain’t there, is they ? ” demanded the fellow. 

“ No ; but they will be here in a short time. Supper is be- 
ing prepared for them, and I must go and help set the tables.” 

But Moloch had no notion of losing such an agreeable 
companion. As she started towards the house, he put out 
his hand and seized her arm, and held her fast. 

“ No, lass, you don’t leave me in this vay.” 

“ Release me, Moloch,” the young lady cried, attempting 
to throw off his hand ; but the man held her fast, and did 
not seem to quail under her indignant looks. 

“ You be a beauty, lass,” the fellow said, “ and I likes you 
Ve don’t part just now ; it vould break my gizzard if ve did.** 

“ You mean wretch, if you don’t leave me I’ll scream, and 
then Mr. Jack will come to my assistance, and beat you as 
you deserve.” 

“ No, you von’t do no sich thing. If you but open them 
purty lips of yc^ir’n, TU take care to shut ’em.” 

She tried to shake him off, but could not ; and then she 
uttered a yell ; but before she could repeat the experiment, 
Moloch’s hard, dirty hand was placed over her mouth, and 
the other paw grasped her white, slender neck. 

“ If you does that agin,” whispered the desperate villain^ 
“ I shall have to choke the life out of yer. I don’t vant to, 
’cause I loves yer.” 

“ 0, Moloch, if you love me, please let me go to the house, 
m never say one word to hlr. Smith about this ; you see if 
I do.” 

“ m see that you don’t, my purty lass,” was the reply ; 
and the fellow grinned as he spoke, while he still held her in 
his rude grasp, so that her screams would be instantly 
checked in case she attempted to utter any ; and then, as her 
face showed the disgust with which she regarded him, he 
continued : — 

“ I loved you, lass, long afore you thought of it, or afore 
you Tould look on one like me. I vanted you for a vife, bul 


AK ABDDCTlOIf. 


259 


I knew you vouldn’t have me till I vas rich ; so I used tc 
think, day after day, how I should get money, and you at 
the same time ; and vile I vas thinkin*, along come this ’ere 
young feller with the kinky hair, and ven I saw him I knowed 
that you vould love him, ’cos he’s handsomer than me.” 

“ But I don’t love him,” cried Amelia ; “ I hate him.” 

** I vish you did,” replied Moloch, “ but I know better than 
that ; so ven I saw you smile on him, I determined to take 
his life, and I vould have done it, lass, if the imps hadn’t 
stood his friend.” 

“You attempted to murder him, and got frightened into a 
fit for your pains,” Amelia remarked, in a tone that was a 
little malicious. 

“ Veil, I thought it vas the feller’s ghost; but no live man 
can make Moloch afeard ; ” and then after a pause he con- 
tinued : “ I had a shot at the fellow the next day, ven he vas 
in the bush, but I missed ’im. Drat him, I think he be hard 
to kill.” 

“ If you do not release me,” Amelia cried, growing im- 
patient, “ you shall suffer for it.” 

The words made Moloch angry. He threw one of his 
brawny arms around the girl’s waist, placed a hand over her 
mouth, and then bore her towards a horse which was con- 
cealed in a clump of palm trees, the huge leaves of which 
completely hid the animal. And all this time we kad never 
missed her. 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE ABDUCTION. A NATIVE ON THE TBAIL. THE 

PIJESTJIT. 

In the mean time, at the house, we had searched every part 
of it, from cellar to attic, and found no trace of Amelia. 
Then we looked through the outbuildings, the orchard, 
where fruit trees were growing which had been brought 
from England, — for, strange as it may seem, Australia does 


S60 


THX BUBHEANGJBBS. 


not boast of fruit indigenous to the soil, — and at last we 
called her name, but there was no response. 

“ She may have gone to White’s,” Smith said ; and he 
looked at us in hopes that we should agree. 

“ Let your stockman ride over there and inquire,” I said. 

Joe was instantly despatched, on the back of the fastest 
horse that was at hand at the time ; but hardly had the sound 
of the animal’s hoofs died away, than Hez picked something 
from the ground near the grove of palm trees. He ran with 
it to a light, and then cried out that he had found a ribbon, 
one which Amelia had worn in her hair the last time he had 
seen her. None of the rest of us recognized it, but love 
had made Hez’s eyes sharp ; so we had no reason to doubt 
his word. 

“ Hold on a bit,” cried Smith. . “ Don’t you move and de- 
stroy the trail. I’ll soon know if she’s been here.” 

He ran to one of his barns, where several natives were 
sleeping, having been employed during the day in tending 
sheep, seized one of the long-haired fellows by his greasy 
and matted locks, dragged him out of the barn, and to the 
spot where we were standing with lighted lanterns, and 
pointing to the ground, said, “ Teazy moukiy The fellow 
understood the words, and his dark, eloquent eyes surveyed 
our anxious faces with an appearance of sympathy that as- 
sured us that his best services were at the disposal of his 
master. Ho was counted the best “ tracker ” within a ra- 
.dius cf ten miles, and his deeds were known from the river 
Murray to the Lodden. The fellow was tall and straight, 
and better formed than most natives, and for his quickness 
with his eyes was called “ Kalama,’* or the “ Ox-eyed.” 

Kalama took a lantern and commenced examining the 
ground and grass, both so hard from the effect of the drought, 
that a footstep made no impression upon them, as far as our 
eyes could note. But our examination was superficial as 
compared with the native’s ; for I never saw such patient 
Industry as the black displayed. He seemed to note the 
manner In which each blade of grass turned, even lifting 
some of them from the ground, and then allowed them te 


A NATIVE ON THE TRAIL. 


261 


fall^ so that he could tell if they had recently been pressed 
by a heavy foot ; and after he had spent some time in such 
an examination, he arose from his knees and said, in broken 
Ensrlish, “ No girl goey dis way.” 

W e looked at each other in astonishment. 

“ Are you sure that the girl has not passed this way ? 
Smith asked. 

“ Yese ; no goey dis way. Man foot all time.” 

We pricked up our ears at this information, 

“ What maney goey dis way ? ” Smith asked, imitating the 
native’s language, so that he could comprehend him the more 
readily. 

The question was a test of the native’s thoroughness of 
examination ; but he did not hesitate to answer it, not even 
for a moment, for his bright eyes were raised to our faces as 
he said, — 

“ Moloch go ; ” and he pointed with his fingers to show 
that he had passed from the orchard towards the palm trees. 

“ Moloch ! ” we all exclaimed ; “ why, it is impossible. 
He would not dare to venture near the house.” 

“ Moloch,” repeated Kalama, in a firm tone, as though 
his eyes were not to be deceived. 

“ If he says it’s Moloch, and sticks to it, then we must 
believe him,” Smith remarked. “ But Moloch ain’t the lass. 
She’s the one we want, and she’s the one we must find. 
Can’t you tell us somethin* about her, Ox-eye ? ” 

“ Num” replied the native, and, taking up the lantern, re- 
newed the search, following the trail towards the palm trees, 
apparently without an effort, until at last he led us to a tree 
where a horse had been tied ; the marks of its hoofs were 
distinctly visible, where he had stamped to shake off the 
cloud of insects that always hover around animal life be- 
neath a warm Australian sun. 

“The bloody villain has been here,” Smith remarked. 
“ But he couldn’t have taken the lass with him, could he ? ” 

Ox-eye soon answered that question. He had examined 
the grass and ground, and now a smile of triumph passed 
•ver his face, as he said, — 


262 


THE B(JSHBA»GEBS. 


** Lass go Moloch.” 

“ Are you sure ? ” we demanded, eagerly. 

“ Go Moloch,” was the only answer, and Lc pointed to thi 
ground. 

“ I have it,” cried Hez, who had been in a fever of excite- 
ment during the whole of the search. “ The tarnal villain 
carried the gal in his arms to the boss, and then, jist afore he 
lifted her up to the saddle, stood her on the ground for a 
moment. 1 teU ye that audacious man has got her, and is off 
to the mountains with her, and we shan’t see no more of her.” 

Ox-eye could not understand all that was said, but ho 
comprehended enough to nod his head, showing that he in- 
dorsed all that Hez had uttered ; and the rest of us were 
forced to think Hopeful correct in his supposition. Just at 
this moment. Smith’s assistant stockman rode up in hot 
haste from Farmer White’s. He reported that no one of 
the family had seen anything of Amelia, and offered all as- 
sistance in case she was lost in the bush. 

“ It’s no use for us to stand hdre gapin’ at each other,” 
Hez cried. “ The gal is gone, and we must find her. Let’s 
start in chase at once.” 

“ How in heaven’s name can we trace her in the dark ? ” 
roared Smith. 

“ Why, by the aid of the nigger,” answered Hez, quite 
confidently. 

“ But he can’t see in the dark ; ” and as Smith spoke ho 
wrung his hands and looked as though he would like to lay 
his brawny paws upon the neck of his treacherous servant. 

“ No, no more he can’t,” Hopeful answered ; and he began 
to look wild, for he knew, and we all knew, what kind of 
treatment the young lady would receive at the hands of Mo- 
loch, unless he was closely pursued and prevented from car- 
rying out his designs. 

At this instant, as though to remind me that an important 
friend was at hand, ready to afford any assistance in his 
power. Hover, the noble hound, whose scent was superior to 
the native’s eye, poked his cold, damp nose in my Band, and 
uttered a low whine, which no one noticed but myselL 


THB PURSUIT. 


263 


“Hopeful,” I said, “you and I will start in pursuit of 
the lady. Give us the best horses on the farm, provisions 
enough to last us three days, and we will see what can be 
done. 

“I’m with you, old feUow,” replied Hez, in a hearty 
tone. 

“But I’ll go too,” Smith cried. 

Ho, you must stay at the house and look after your 
visitors. We do not need you.” 

“But I'll be hung if I don’t go,” Smith roared; “you 
can’t find the way through the bush without me.” 

“ Then we shall get lost. But I am not fearful. Give us 
the horses and we’U start.” 

But you can’t track ’em in the night, I tell you,” re- 
monstrated Smith. * 

“We can’t, but Rover can,” I answered, in a quiet 
tone. 

“ That’s so. I never once thought of the hound. If he 
takes the scent you’ll have hard work to keep up with him. 
The dog is quicker than Ox-eye; ” and then Smith renewed 
his argument in favor of going with us; but we would not 
listen to him, for we did not need his services, Hez and I 
thinking that we were quite competent to take care of Mo- 
loch, in case we were fortunate enough to meet him. 

At last we convinced Smith that his place was at home, 
and then he gave orders for saddling the horses, and re- 
turned with us to the house to pack in our knapsacks a 
blanket, some bread and cheese, a flask of wine, dried beef, 
and^ some other things which were needed for our welfare 
during our absence. 

Down with yer, and put some of that ’ere supper into 
yer insides,” Smith said, pointing to the table which his wife 
had suddenly loaded with the best that the house contained, 
in spite of her grief at the abduction of her sister. “It 
won’t take but a minute; jist while I’m gittin’ a few things 
put up for yer.” 

We knew that the advice was good; for we did not know 
how long we should be absent; so down we sat, and ate 
most heartily. By the time we had flnished, the horses were 
standing at the door, and Rover was full of anxiety and. 


THE BUSHRANGERS 


264 

doubt. I threw a few scraps to the animal, just enough to 
whet his appetite. 

“ All ready,” said Hez, who had employed his leisure 
time in loading our revolvers and putting up a stock of 
ammunition. 

I rose to go, when Mrs. Smith threw herself into my arms. 

“You will bring her back to me if it is a possible thing?” 
she said, in tones that could scarcely be heard for stifled 
sobs. 

“I will save her or avenge her,” I answered, and then 
placed the poor woman in her husband’s arms, and was 
just turning to leave the room, when Jenny met me face to 
face. 

“I must leave you for the present, Jenny,” I said, as I 
took her hand and pressed it warmly, to which she made no 
objection. ‘ ‘ You will remain here until I return, and then 
I’ll see you safe to Melbourne.” 

“ Don’t want no one to see me there. I can go alone. I 
can find the way. If you leave the house now, you won’t 
see me again, not soon. If you want to run after women I 
shan’t wait for you.” She jerked her hand away, and 
walked towards the window. 

“What do you want me to do, Jenny?” I asked, as I 
followed her. 

“ I don’t want you to do nothin ,” the girl said, in a petu- 
lant manner. “You jist clear out from me.” 

I was indignant, and stepped back the quicker, because I 
heard Sir William and Hez attempt to smother a laugh by 
the aid of a cough. 

“I’mjready,” I said, and without another look at the 
handsome girl, I left the room 

We’ll look arter the lass,” Smith whispered, as I crossed 
the threshold. 

“I don’t care whether you do or not,” I answered, for I 
was angry with Jenny, and at the manner in which she had 
treated me. 

“Don’t be angry with the poor child,” Sir William re- 
marked. “Remember, she is not a lady.” 

He extended his hand as he spoke, and pressed mine, and 
after a moment’s silence continued ; — 


THE PURSUIT. 


26 $ 


“ Wlien you return, it’s squite probable that I shall be in 
Melbourne. May I not hope to see you there before long ? ” 

“ I trust so.” 

“ If we should not see each other there, do not be surprised, 
for my mission to this country is of an extraordinary nature, and 
I must go where even a trace of information may lead me.” 

The baronet uttered a deep sigh, as though his heart was 
touched ; and without venturing another word he retreated 
into the house, and resumed his old position by the window. 

“ Now leave us,” I said, as all the members of the farm gath- 
ered around; “ I want to put the dog on the scent. Good by, 
all of you. We will return with Amelia or Moloch’s head.” 

The crowd retreated to the house and outbuildings, while 
Hez and I led our horses towards the grove of palms, and 
then called Kover, and pointed to the marks which Moloch’s 
horse had made, and bade the hound look around. He put 
his nose to the earth, snuffed a little, first in one spot and 
then in another, moving round in a circle at the same time, 
until at last he raised his head and uttered a low bay. 

“ No noise,” I said. “ We must follow them without 
giving an alarm.” 

Eover wagged his tail, waited until I had mounted my 
horse, and then, with his nose close to the earth, started in 
the direction of the Lodden ; and just as we galloped off 
I heard the police squad arrive in front of the house. 


CHAPTER XL. 

TKB PURSUIT. BRIDGE OP SALT. MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS,— 

ALLIGATORS AND THEIR ATTACKS. AN ESCAPE. 

Rover followed the trail without faltering. He ran along 
with his nose to the ground, keeping just ahead of us, so 
that we did not lose sight of him for a moment ; and in this 
manner we dashed over the prairie, sometimes checking our 
horses for the purpose of avoiding a bog or salt spring, the 


266 


THE BUBHSAHGEBS. 


latter to be found in all parts of the country, and sometimei 
in the most unexpected places ; and, confound them, they 
have caused more blaspheming to men on horseback than 
even the Australian insects, which fill your nostrils, your 
cars, and your mouth, unless you keep it shut ; for in the 
night time, when near a light, even if you undertake to 
swallow a “ drink,” unless the neck of the bottle fills your 
mouth, insects will creep in and take their chance with the 
liquor. And sometimes, in the dark, such an event occurs ; 
for Hez, who had been nervous and eager ever since he had 
learned of the abduction, and had only kept up his spirits by 
the aid of a pocket “ pistol,” while trotting along by my 
side, drew his bottle and threw back his head ; but the next 
moment, with a strangling cry and a terrible fit of coughing, 
he exclaimed, — 

“ 0, darn ! Tve swallowed a bug bigger than my fiist, and 
the imp is gnawing at my vitals. What shall I do ? ” and 
the poor fellow commenced pounding his stomach, which 
sounded like a badly strung bass drum. 

“ Drown him with liquor,” I exclaimed, laughing so that 
I coiid hardly sit my horse. 

“ m do it ; ” and once more the bottle was applied to his 
lips, and a long pull showed that Hez was determined to 
have satisfaction. 

“ Ah, I guess Tve fixed him,” Hopeful remarked, as he 
removed the “pistol” and took a long breath; “I don’t 
feel him now.” 

He had hardly ceased speaking when Rover halted, and 
manifested signs of having lost the scent. We waited a few 
minutes in hopes that he would recover it ; but as he did 
not, I rode forward a few steps, and saw that we were close to 
a deep bog, and that if we had rode into it we should have 
lost our animals, for we could not have got them out of the 
black mud, most of it encrusted with salt, showing the 
nature of the water that flowed into the marsh. Moloch 
had crossed the bog — that was ev*'^ent ; but he knew the 
path, while we did not, and it was rak.^v»r difficult for Rover 
to find it on account of the water, which destroyed the scent. 


THB FUKSITIT. 


267 


and caused us to lose much valuable time. I dismounted, 
and commenced an examination on my own account. There 
were thousands of sheep tracks in the vicinity, for the an- 
imals had visited the marsh for the purpose of licking the 
salt ; and there were the tracks of cattle, some of the latter 
haying wallowed deep in the mud, as if for the purpose of 
enjoying the luxury of a bath, and escaping from the per- 
secuting flies and mosquitos. As I stumbled around, some- 
times up to my knees in mud and water, Kover wagged his 
tail, as much as to say, “ I’ll see how you succeed where I fail ; 
but if you find the trail you’ll do better than I anticipate.*' 

At last, by some sort of accident, I crossed a little sheet 
of water, where I found hard and firm bottom. A short 
distance from the water, not more than one or two inches 
deep, was a white crust of salt, so substantial that it felt 
under foot like quartz. It was about ten feet wide, but the 
length I could not judge of on account of the darkness. I 
could see that it led in the direction of the river ; but I 
hardly dared to hope that it was a natural bridge, and one 
strong enough to cross to firm land. But in a moment aU 
doubts were set at rest, for Rover joined me, gave one sniff, 
and with a bay announced that the lost trail had been found. 
With his nose close to the salt he started to follow; but I 
stopped him, and compelled him to wait until we were ready 
to continue the pursuit. I shouted ^ Hez that we were aU 
right, and to lead the animals towards me, and then I stooped 
down and saw the marks of a horse’s hoofs on the hard salt; 
BO there could be no mistake but that we had hit on the right 
trail ; but the fact that Moloch had made use of the bridge 
was suflicient to convince me that he was rather a cunning 
sort of a genius, and knew more than I had given him credit 
for, and that if a capture was to be made, much discretion 
must bo used on our part. 

W al, growled Hez, as he rode up, “ you don’t go for 
to tell me that the imp has gone this ’ere way ? ” 

“ It seems that ho has,” I anawered. 

“ Wal, blast the feller ! who’d a s’posed it ? Td never 
have thought of looking for a bridge like this, would you ? ” 

10 


168 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


“ Yet you see that I found it,” I answered, with a little 
self-complacency, that I considered pardonable under the 
circumstances. 

“ So you did ; I’ll give you the credit of it. Jack, and tCi. 
everybody I know arter we return.” 

I spoke to the dog, and he started forward, we following. 
Then commenced one of the most peculiar phenomena that I 
had witnessed for many months ; and even for Australia, 
that land of wonder and extraordinary occurrences, it was 
something remarkable. As soon as we started our horses, 
the salt bridge upon which we stood commenced shaking and 
swaying back and forth, so that our animals could hardly 
keep their feet ; and they were so terrified at their novel po- 
bltlcn, that they trembled in every part, and the sweat started 
from every pore, and covered their hides with a dampness 
that felt as though they had just come from a swim in the river. 

There’s an earthquake,” roared Hez ; and he was about 
to slip from his horse, when I checked him and requested 
him to remain quiet. 

lie complied with my demand, and the instant that wc 
were quiet, the bridge was the same ; but if our animals 
moved but a foot, the frail structure quaked like a jelly, with 
regular undulations similar to the waves of the ocean, while 
at the same time, from all parts of the quagmire issued sighs 
and groans like those ^ttered by a human being in terrible 
pain, or the regular moan of a high-pressure steam engine. 

^Yith some difficulty we soothed our horses, and induced 
them to remain quiet. The sighs and groans which they 
heard, human-like in their agony, had frightened the brutes 
as well as ourselves ; and with ears thrown back 

close to their heads, and their ey^s restless and dancing in 
all directions, it was with much trouble that we were enabled 
to prevent their backing off the bridge into the mud, or else 
turning and retreating the way in which they came. 

Our hound, apparently imbued with no superstitious ideas 
respecting the noises, finding that we did not follow him, 
returned to us, wagging his taU, as though wondering whai 
we meant by not continuing the chase. 


269 


BBIDGE OP SALT, 

Hopeful, whose eyes had protruded to an unusual extent, 
while the sighs and groans were prevailing, now managed to 
speak. 

“ Gol darn it, Jack, what’s the meaning of these ’ere 
noises ? I don’t understand ’em.” 

^(1 either do I,” but I began to have a faint glimmering 
of how the sounds were produced* 

“ I tell you it’s jist enough to make a man’s hair stand 
right up on an end. It sounds jist as when old uncle John 
k>ked the bucket when he didn’t want to, and he tore aU 
aunt s sheets to bits afore he would straighten out and shut 
his eyes.” 

“ Pshaw ! you don’t suppose that the sighs and groans 
which we heard were produced by unnatural agencies, do 
ytu?” 

“ No, but I wish I was out of it, I do.” 

“ Then we must make a start,” I replied. “ We only waste 
time here.” 

As I spoke, Hez uttered an exclamation of alarm. 

“ Look ! ” he said. “ We shall be swallered up as well as 
frightened to death.” 

I looked down, and noticed for the first time that water 
had overfiowed the bridge where we stood, and was already 
some two inches deep. 

‘ Let s get out of this,” cried Hez. “ I’ve had enough 
of swamps. Gol darn ’em, say I.” 

I grasped my horse by the bridle, and led him forward a 
few steps ; but the instant we advanc/cd, the sighs and groans 
came from all parts of the swamp, more terrible than ever, 
until it seemed like a hundred fiends near us, and laugh- 
pg at us. The animals, manifested their terror by snort- 
g and rearing, and making desperate efforts to break away 
from our grasp. 

Suddenly, within a few yards of Hez, who was on the 
right, came a snort and a roar that sounded entirely difi 
ferent from anything we had yet heard. Hopeful started, 
and exclaimed in astonishment, — 

** Jehosaphat ! what in creation is that?” 


THE BUSHBANQBRS. 


S70 

If Hez did not know, I did ; and I was well aware ttat 
more danger was near us, unless we made tracks or showed 
fi-ht. As Hez asked the important question, there was a 
loud splash on the left of the bridge, a shower of water was 
dashed into my face, and as some of it reached “7 
nearly blinded me for a moment, burning my flesh like 

caustic. * 

«0, darn!” yeUed Hopeful; “ Tve got some of 

blasted stuff in my mouth. Bah I ” ^ , 

“ Jack, what is this thing near me ? ” asked Hopeful, when 
he had cleared his throat, and was able to speak. “ It looks 
Uke a blasted log, but it ain’t, you know, ’cos logs dont 
throw water at a feller.” 

“ Hez,” I said, in as calm a tone as I could command, 

“ we are surrounded by alligators.” 

“What?” asked the New Hampshire genius in a tone 
that was loud enough to awaken all the alligators in .k€' 
swamp. 

I repeated my remark. 

“ Wal, this is the cussedest country I ever heard tell of, 
was the response, for Hez seemed to care less about the 
slimy brutes, than he did for the sighs and groans. 

I saw at once from Hez’s remark that he knew but Uttle 
respecting the habits of alligators. 

“Jack,” he said, in a light, bantering tone, as though the 
subject was rather a laughable one than otherwise, “ Tm 
blamed if that old log ain’t cornin’ for me, jist as sure as 

comes too near,” I said, “ aim at the mouth and 

fire.” 

“ How do you call too near ? Hez demanded. “ The 
chan is BO near now that I can see that he’s got a very open 
countenance, and rather good teeth. Blast him I I guess 

he’s cleaned ’em lately.” ^ ^ 

I glanced to the other side of the bridge, and saw that 
Hopeful was confronted by an alligator at least twelve or 

afteen feet long. , . xi. i - 

“ Jack,” said my friend, while I was watching the slow 


▲LLIQATOBS AND THBIB ATTACKS. 


371 


movements of the alligator, “ tlie bnitekeeps conun* nearer 
and nearer. What shall I do ? ** 

Hez was a short distance behind me, on the near side of 
his horse, holding the animal by the bridle, and with one 
hand on the pommel of the saddle, ready to leap into it in 
case it was necessary to ride for his life. This explanation 
is desirable to illustrate what followed, and how Hopeful 
escaped from what was intended as a death-blow. I had 
told Hez, in a low tone, to take certain aim and fire at toe 
monster’s head ; while I looked after the alligator on my 
left, which had as yet shown no signs of animation or hos- 
tility. 

“ Fm all ready,” said Hez, cocking his revolver. 

“ Then fire.” 

There was a sharp report, a terrible splash, and showers 
of mud fell upon us. My horse made desperate attempts to 
escape, but I managed to hold him fast ; and while I was 
thus engaged, I heard Hopeful exclaim, — 

“ Wal, Fm blessed if that ain’t a go I ” 

As soon as I could clear my eyes I saw Hopeful’s horse 
off the bridge, struggling in the mud, and half a dozen alli- 
gators wiggling towards it. 

“ Did yon see that ? ” asked Hez, in a cool, unconcerned 
tone. 

“ No;. WTiat has happened ? ” 

“ "Why, that blasted brute jist put up his tail, rapped my 
iorse on the head, jist clearing me, and thar the poor fool 
‘S up to his neck in mud, and no hope of gittin* him out.” 

“Forward,” I shouted. “We have not a moment to 
lose. We have aroused all the alligators of the marsh, and 
they are pushing towards us.” 

“ Forward it is,” returned Hez. “ Fm ready.” 


273 


THS BUSHBANQSXS. 


CHAPTER XLI. 

fEBILOUS POSITION. ESCAPE FBOM ALLIOATOES. — ON FOOT. 

A WESTEEN MAN IN AITSTBALIA. HE JOINS US. 

But we encountered an unexpected obstacle; for wKeJi 
T attempted to lead my horse, he refused to budge an inch. 

“ Jack,’* said Hopeful, “what shall we do? Hadn’t we 
better leave the brute and cut stick — hey ? ” 

I was almost resolved to do so, for the roaring and splash- 
ing around us began to assume such proportions that we 
thought of Daniel in the lions’ den. 

“ If the brutes would only give me time,” muttered Hez, 
as he surveyed the black-headed monsters encircling the 
carcass of the horse, with snapping jaws an.d limber tails, 
“ I’d make a trap that would catch a dozen in twenty-four 
hours, and then we could go into the aUigator-skin busi- 
ness, or start a shoe-shop, on our own account. Thunder I 
couldn’t we make money ! ” 

“ Hang your shoe-shops ! ” I exclaimed. “ Help me with 
this frightened beast, will you ? ” 

“ Chuck him in with the other,” Hez remarked, in a good- 
natured tone, as though he stood on one of his granite hills, 
instead of on a treacherous bridge with mo'hsters on each 
side of him. 

Just as he spoke, an alligator nearly fifteen feet long com- 
menced crawling on the bridge with the intention of crossing 
it. It was not more than two yards from us, and seemed 
to care as little for our presence as it did for its comrades. 
I suppose that to this monster we were indebted for the 
manner in which we escaped ; for the alligator inspired my 
horse with such unbounded terror that he ceased trembling 
and endeavoring to retreat. He gave a snort, reared, broke 
from my grasp, and, to my surprise, dashed ahead, regard- 
less of the quaking bridge, the slime that covered it, or the 
devilish roars of the alligators, disturbed in their feed by 
the racket. 


ESCAPE FEOM ALLIGATORS. - ON FOOT. 


27S 


“ There goes your boss,” yelled Hez. 

“Yes, and here I go in pursuit,’^ was my answer; and 
forward I went at a rapid rate, followed by Hez, and soon 
left our musk-smelling acquaintances far behind us. 

The instant I struck dry and hard land I paused to taka 
breath and consult with Hopeful as to the next movement. 
We could hear my horse crashing through the bush half a 
mile distant, and we knew that he would not stop tiU entirely 
exhausted, and unfit for further service ; so it was useless 
to pursue the animal. Even if we succeeded in catching 
him, he could not ^d us in continuing the pursuit ; so we 
resolved to follow Moloch on foot, and let the horse go, 
knowing quite well that the animal would be picked up by 
the shepherds and returned to Smith at no distant day, the 
peculiar brand upon the horse’s flank proclaiming the owner- 
ship without question or doubt. 

As soon as we had rested we called to Rover, once more 
put him on the trail, and started over a broad prairie. On 
we went across it, skirted the river near the ford, and ap- 
proached a clump of palm trees that stood just at the edge 
of the plain ; and when we were witfiin gunshot of them, 
Rover uttered a peculiar bay, and bounded forward. 

“ By darn,” cried Hez, “ wo has ’em.” 

But I knew better, for Rover never uttered such a sound 
as that when in the vicinity of an enemy ; and a minute later 
proved that I was correct in my surmises, for a gruflf voice 
cried out, “ What in thunder’s name do ye mean a settin’ a 
dog on mo ? I’ll be darned if any western man will be put 
on in this ’ere style by Britishers or ’Stralians, niggers or 
boomerang throwers. CaU off yer dog, I say.” 

“ Don’t be alarmed,” I cried. “ The dog won’t hurt you 
unless you provoke him.” 

“ Provoke him ! ” repeated the man ; “ why, I ain’t doin’ 
nothin’ to provoke him. I’m just settin’ down ’ere smokin’ 
to keep off the skeeters. But you just wait a minute till I 
stir up the fire, and then we’ll see who you is, and what you 
is arter.” 

As the stranger spoke he threw on the smouldering iirt 


174 


THIS BUSHBAHGBB8. 


fome dry, resinous sticks, and they instantly blazed up, re- 
vealing a man about thirty years of age, as near as we could 
judge, with long hair and immense beard, neither of which 
had been trimmed for some months. He was a tall, thin 
individual, with round shoulders, long arms, and not a spare 
ounce of flesh on his body. 

“ Wal, strangers,” cried the long-haired individual, “ you 
is on a late tramp to-night. Where might you be from ? 
Bendigo or Ballarat ? ” 

“ Neither,” I answered. 

“ Be you from the new diggings up a^the Devirs Elbow ? 
I heard tell that it’s mighty rich dirt up thar. But they lie 
so like sin in this kintry that a decent man don’t know what 
to believe.” 

I shook my head as I pulled out my pipe and commenced 
lighting it. 

“ Strangers,” said the long-haired individual, in an im- 
pressive manner, “ you don’t mean to say that ye are on the 
bushranger lay, do yer ? ’Cause if ye do, jist let me say 
to yer that I ain’t got a darned dime, and the only thing I’m 
worth is this old rifle, and if ye want that ye must fight me 


for it.” 

“ Why do you think we are on the bushranging lay ? ” I 
asked. 

“ Yes, jist tell us that,” broke in Hez, speaking for the 


first time. 

“ By the Lord Harry, strangers, if you ain’t Yankees, then 
darn me ! ” shouted the long-haired individual. 

“ And you are — ” 

“ A native of the Great West, sir, whar the big rivers is 
found, and the wide prairies, and the rich sile, and the great 
crops, and the handsome women-folks.” 

As the western man spoke, he extended his hand, and ws 
had a fraternal greeting beneath those palm trees. 

“ From your description, I should say that you were from 


Illinois,” I remarked. 

“Yes, sir, from Dlinise, Washington 
bom and brought up, man and boy, till 


county, whar I was 
this ’ere darnatioo 


A WESTERN MAN IN AUSTRALIA. 


275 


gold fever took me and carried me off to this place, whar I 
ain’t made shucks for months past.” 

“ Sorry to hear it. I hope you will have better luck in 
future.” 

“ Hope so, too, stranger ; but Fm a little doubtful. I 
wan’t one of the kind what come into the world with a silver 
spoon in my mouth, and a pair of silk stockings on. But 
Bill Hackett don’t grumble at that ; he takes things jist as 
he finds ’em.” 

While Mr. William Hackett, of Washington county, Illinois, 
was talking, he also was working, and in some mysterious 
manner had managed to put a little tin coffee-pot on the 
fire, to fill it with water from a tin canteen, and in a few 
minutes presented Hez and myself with about a pint of very 
fair coffee, which was quite acceptable to us after the fatigues 
of the night. 

“ Drink, strangers,” said Hackett, who appeared to have 
all the liberality of the western people. I know men must 
feel a little puckery in the mouth after a long tramp. Do 
yer want a bite of somethin’ ? I’ve got a little bacon, and 
a few cakes of bread ; but ye’re welcome to ’em, as all my 
countrymen would be if they was hard up, and I should meet 
’em in this blasted country, which don’t make whiskey, raise 
corn, and precious few hogs. What do they know hero about 
bacon ? Nothin’.” 

Mr. Hackett took his pipe from his mouth, and expressed 
his disgust by spitting at a burning knot. He aimed so 
accurately that the flame went out with a sudden sizzle ; and 
the spitier remarked, with a complacent snort, — 

“ I knowd I could hit it. I never misses my aim. I can 
hit anything within two yards. You can bet on that. Now, 
strangers, I’ve told you all about myself. I’ve given you a 
whole history of my doin’s. I ain’t kept back nothin’ 
at all. Now, let’s see if you can enlighten me a little 
about yerselvcs. Yer see I am all in the dark about you 
fellers.” 

“ To tell you the truth, my friend,” I said, “ we are in 
pursuit of a man who has committed a great wrong, and so 


37 « 


THE BUSHEANGEKS. 


anxious are we to overtake the fellow that we must instantlj 
part company.” 

“ Sorry for that, strangers ; ” and then, as we finished our 
cofifee and rose to go, he continued : — 

“ Might I ask what the cuss has been doin’ that starts you 
on his trail ? ” 

“ He has abducted a young woman.” 

“ He has done what ? ” roared Hackett. 

“ He has carried off a young woman much against her 
will.” 

“ 0,” growled Hackett, with a sigh of relief, “ I thought 
he’d done somethin’ else. He’s only carried her off. Wal, 
you must get her back agin.” 

“ That’s what we intend to do.” 

“ Wal, then. I’ll jist pack up and jine ye. I tell ye. I’m 
tired enough of sinking shafts, and findin’ nothin’ but sand 
and water. A bit of a tramp won’t hurt me, nor nothin’.” 

“ Perhaps you had better leave some of your traps behind,” 
I said, as the Illinois gentleman threw his knapsack over his 
shoulders and fastened it in front. 

“ What for ? ” demanded Hackett. 

“We may have a long tramp, and your load will feel heavy 
before we have time to rest.” 

“ 0, that is it ? ” and Mr. Hackett did not appear to feel 
as though the advice was worth taking. 

“ I ain’t much on a tramp, stranger,” Hackett continued, 
as he threw his rifle over his shoulder ; “ that is, compared 
to some of the Ulinise folks; but when I cry-baby, you 
jist sot me down as a poor coot, and unworthy the great 
state that I represent. Now, then, shall we start arter the 
scoundrel what took the gal ? or shall we stand here all night 
and look at each other jist as though we was beauties, and 
had fallen in love with each other ? ” 

“We will start,” I said. So, calling Rover, I directed him 
to once more find the trail — no difficult task, for the dog 
was impatient to start. We then went forward, heading this 
time towards Mount Macedonskirt, the top of which we 
tould see, looking dark ^d sullen as the olouds settled 


A TEDIOUS TEAMP. 


377 

Around its rugged sides. So all that long night we tramped 
on in silence, over prairies, across dry gullies, through brush 
and grass, and patches of wood, straight on towards the 
mountain, which began to show its seared sides as daylight 
came stealing over the plains, revealing in a deep valley on 
the right a flock of sheep, numbering thousands, huddled 
together for warmth and protection from the wild dogs, and 
guarded by some half a dozen shepherds. 

Just as the sun rose I was glad to call for a halt, and to 
acknowledge that I was too tired to proceed farther until 
after a brief resting spell and a cup of coff'ee. 

“ Pooh ! ” cried Hackett, as he removed ms heavy knap- 
sack ; “ you don’t call this ’ere walkin’, do you ? Sakes alive ! 
I don’t begin to feel tired. Won’t somebody run a race with 
me, just so I can get my blood sarculating ? ” 

I thought this was western bombast, at flrst ; but a look 
at the man soon convinced me that he was as fresh as when 
he started upon the trail. 

But while Hez and I threw ourselves down to take that 
rest which we so much desired, Hackett was busy unpacking 
his traps, making a fire, and preparing a pot of coffee. 
After the beverage was ready, we broke our fast with a keen 
relish, and then lighted our pipes, and called a council of 
war to deliberate on future proceedings. 


CHAPTER XLH. 

A TEDIOUS TKAMP. — AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY. A STBANQl 

SIGHT. SEBPENTS IN PUBSUIT. A FIGHT. 

As we lighted our pipes I looked for Hackett, and asked 
his opinion as to our future course ; for I knew that he was 
a man whose word could be depended upon. He had resided 
two years in Australia, knew the country, and the trails of 
bushrangers, had starved in the mines, and suffered on che 
prairies for the want of water, was bold and active, and in 


278 


THE BUSmiANQKES. 


fact just such a man as I desired to be associated with ill 
hunting for Moloch and Amelia. 

“ Wal, if you ax me what I think of it,” Hackett said, as 
he puffed out volumes of smoke, “ I shall tell you right plain 
that we shouldn’t stop here no shakes of time, ’cos if you do 
we shall miss the man just as slick as greased lightning. His 
boss can’t go much further without rest ; so now is our time 
to push him.” 

I looked at my poor feet, which began to feel like blister- 
ing, and sighed as I thought how much I would give for 
three horses, just at that time. But Hopeful cared nothing 
for blisters or fatigue. His whole thoughts and anxiety 
were centred on Amelia, and fear that the villain Moloch 
would do her some injury before we could overtake and 
rescue her. He was impatient at the least delay, although 
he was more tired than myself. 

“ Yes,” said the Illinois chap, “ if we mean to find ’em 
we must put arter ’em, ’cos the best hound that ever fol- 
lowed a trail can’t keep on the scent many hours arter this 
hot sun has laid on it. The dog is a good dog, I won’t deny 
that ; but he can’t do unpossible things like. No, you hadn’t 
ought to expect ’im to.” 

‘ “ Let us start at once,” cried the impatient Hez. “ I 
shan’t feel satisfied till I’ve seen the gal safe, and the mean 
cuss what took her dead. Come, Tm all ready.” 

“ So is I,” replied Hackett ; and he collected his traps, 
and stowed them in his knapsack in an expeditious manner. 

There was no excuse for me ; so I pulled on my boots and 
started, skirted the base of the mountain — the side which 
we approached being too rugged and steep for a horse to 
ascend. Of this fact Moloch appeared to be aware ; for he 
had made no attempt to pass up the deep gorges, down 
which the winter’s rains poured in torrents, flooding some 
of the low valleys with water and sand ; and even huge rocks 
were sometimes carried long distances from their native beds, 
the mountain sides and summit. 

At length we passed through a grove of trees, and at one 
place we saw where Moloch had halted for the purpose of 


AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY. 


279 


resting his horse ; and we could even note how the rascal had 
struggled with the girl when he wanted to resume his jour- 
ney, and Amelia had refused to be lifted on horseback. 
Perhaps I should not have noted the signs if it had not 
been for Hackett, whose eyes were like a hawk’s. He 
pointed out the marks of the young girl’s feet, and showed 
us how she had been dragged some distance by the ruffian. 

“ Don’t you see that the boss was kind of uneasy like. 
See how he sorter stepped around and kicked up a dust. 
That shows that the gal resisted, and the man had some 
work to get her near the animal. Of course while they 
was a fighting the boss wasn’t quiet. Come on — the scent 
is warm. We’ll come up with ’em.” 

We pressed on with renewed ardor. Hez led the way at 
a slashing pace, and he never slackened his gait until we 
left the woods and came upon a sandy plain, where, for the 
first time, Rover seemed unwilling to lead, and acted in the 
most unaccountable manner. 

“ What is it, good dog ? ” I asked, as I came up. 

He looked up with a whine, and, when I urged him forward, 
declined to go, as though fearful of encountering some un- 
known danger. I knew Rover too weU not to be aware that 
something threatened us ; but what it was I could not im- 
agine, and although my companions would have pressed on 
regardless of the hound’s warning, I was not disposed to do 
so, having been taught to confide in the animal’s sagacity 
and fidelity. 

“ What is it. Rover ? ” I asked. 

He looked up with his bright, intelligent eyes, as though 
wishing that he could express his thoughts in words, and 
uttered a subdued howl ; and at the same time the hatr upon 
his back began to bristle and his tail to stiffen, while his lips 
were drawn back, showing his white fangs, long and sharp, 
and capable of doing good service in a close encounter. 

“ Push on,” cried Hackett. “ The dog is growling at his 
own shadow. We can see danger if any is near. Jist trust 
to me, stranger, and you’ll come out all right.” 

But I knew better ; and it was well for us that I was will- 


280 


THK BUSHRANGERS. 


ing to trust to the instinct of the hound, for hardly had 
Hackett ceased speaking when the sand, not more than a 
rod from us, aud directly across the trail, commenced 
moving, agitated like water boiling in a huge pot ; and 
while we looked on in astonishment, wondering at the 
cause, a huge, dark head, with a circle of white around the 
neck, was thrust out of the sand, raised some two feet from 
the ground, and with glittering eyes and huge mouth com- 
menced hissing at us ; and while the fiendish sounds were 
continued, a second head was thrust out, and then another 
and another, until I counted some twelve different snakes, 
all of mammoth proportions, and all with white rings around 
their necks, like ministerial neck-ties, but more terrible 
than any white choker ever encountered by evil-doers during 
puritanical days, when it was unlawful to kiss a wife on Sun- 
day. The sight was not a pleasant one, and I think that I 
recoiled a few paces, still facing the reptiles, whose heads 
were twisting and squirming in every direction, as though 
attempting to obtain an unobstructed view of the gentlemen 
who had ventured to obtrude their presence upon such dis- 
tinguished company ; and when I add that the movements 
were all accompanied by shrill hisses, each reptile using a 
different key, it will bo considered that the concert was most 
infernal in every respect, and one that a man could not listen 
to for any length of time without going mad. 

“ Wal, if that don’t beat all that I ever seed in Elinise, 
Californy, or in this blasted kintry,” ex:claimed Hackett. 

“ Nothin’ in Hillsboro’ county can come up to that for ug- 
liness,” ejaculated Hopeful, who seemed to think that the 
honor of New Hampshire required him to utter some words 
to keep the state prominently before his audience. 

“ Earn me if they ain’t cornin’ arter us,” cried Hackett, in 
a subdued whisper; for the scene was well calculated to 
affect the boldest. 

I was so much absorbed in watching the antics of the 
snakes, that I did not realize that they were advancing 
towards me, with heads a foot or more from the sand, each 
hlack imp striving for the lead, as though in such company 


SERPENTS IN PURSUIT. 


281 


tliere was a post of honor ; and very fri^tful, yet interesting 
they looked, as they bobbed their white, curved necks to and 
fro, like a flock of black swans in search of food. I could 
not help laughing, the sight was so novel ; for it did not 
enter my head that it would be wise on my part to retreat as 
fast as my legs would carry me. But I was aroused from 
this stupor — I can call it nothing else — by the voice and 
action of Hackett, who probably comprehended my position 
at a glance. 

“ Darn me ! ” I heard the man say, “ if them ’ere black 
reptiles ain’t charming the cap’n. They’ve got their eyes 
on him, that’s sure ! ” 

“ Jerk him away,” cried Hopeful ; “ he mustn’t stay 
there. If he does he’ll be swamped.” 

The next instant I felt a hand on my shoulder. I was 
rudely jerked back ; and then as though some spell was bro- 
ken, I awakened to a sense of my danger. 

By this time the snakes were within a rod or two of me, 
and their hissing was terribly distinct — a spur sufiicient to 
make me resolve to get away from it as soon as possible ; 
so I don’t mind confessing that I turned my back upon the 
enemy and ran as fast as possible, just looking over my 
shoulder, to see if they followed me. The brief glance that 
I obtained showed that the snakes redoubled their exertions 
when they saw me run. 

“ This beats anything I ever heard of in Hlinise,” Hackett 
muttered, as he dashed along close by my side, while Hope- 
ful was a little in advance, where I wished I was. 

“ Can’t we knock over two or three of the reptiles ? ” I 
asked. 

“ I can answer for some of ’em,” returned Hackett ; but 
won’t what remains tackle us, and give us fits ? ” 

That was a question I could not answer, much as I desired 
to. But we soon had to make a decision, or else leave a 
companion to his fate ; for Hez struck his foot against a vine, 
and plunged headlong to the ground ; and so severe was the 
fall, that it seemed as though the breath had left his body, 
Hover to return. At the same moment we turned and faced 


182 


THE BUSHKANQEB8. 


the reptiles. Perhaps they were a little surprised at the 
movement; for I noticed that the leading snake — the one 
that had held the advance during the chase, a fellow more 
than fifteen feet long, with a collar three inches wide, and 
of a dull cream-color — suddenly relaxed his speed, so much 
BO that the snakes behind him ran over his body before they 
could check their headway, and a very pretty knot was the 
consequence. 

Fire ! ” I yelled ; and although I was so much blowed 
with my run that I could hardly hold my revolver in a hori- 
Eontal position, I managed to aim and discharge the pistol 
three times in rapid succession, while Hackett poured in the 
contents of his rifle, and Hopeful struggled to his feet, and 
did the same with his six-barrelled weapon. There was a 
mighty flash of long and flexible tails, a gleaming of white 
throats, dark streams of blood that flowed from ragged wounds, 
and, above all, clouds of fine sand that soon enveflSped the 
reptiles, and almost b'd them from view. The sight was one 
of the most terrible that I ever saw or heard of ; and long 
afterwards did it remain impressed upon my mind, so that 
even in my sleep I would dream of the matter, and awaken to 
find myself in a cold perspiration, and trembling in every limb. 

We maintained our ground when we found that the rep- 
tiles no longer pursued us, reloaded our weapons, and 
watched the heaving, struggling mass, hissing and biting 
each other, and lashing out with their flexible tails like young 
whales tortured by harpoons. 

“ Blame me, if they ain’t fightin’ each other ! ” exclaimed 
Hez, who had recovered his wind and good nature at the 
same time. 

It did seem as though such was the case ; and the 
longer we regarded the struggle that was going on, the 
more oanvinced we were that the reptiles had turned their 
weapons upon each other, and were fighting among them- 
selves with a ferocity that I never saw equalled. I suppose 
that the snakes which were wounded imagined that their 
companions had injured them, not being aware of the powers 
•£ lead and gunpowder ; consequently they had turned upon 


SEBPENTS IN PUBSUIT. 


289 


those not hit, and attempted to retaliate by striking to the 
right and left; and when their sharp teeth did inflict a 
wound, it was serious. The sight was a wonderful one, 
and we stood and looked at it, as well as the dust would 
permit us, until the struggles in a measure ceased, and the 
view became less obstructed. Then we saw that most of the 
snakes were dead, that only the larger ones were alive, 
and they were desperately wounded. One of the reptiles — 
the largest of the number, and the fellow which had led the 
pursuit, and shown the most vindictive rage — had received 
a large gash on the white ribbon around his neck ; and as the 
thick blood trickled from the wound, and dyed the cravat-like 
mark, it resembled a throat that had been cut with a razor. 

“By thunder! but they is suckers, ain’t they?” said 
Hackett, who now spoke for the first time. “ Never did I 
see anythin’ in Ulinise equal to that ’ere ; and yet that state 
can produce some of the greatest sights of any state, in the 
Union ; now, you had better believe.” 

“ You ain’t got no snakes like them ’ere, have you ? ” asked 
Hopeful, who was jealous for the reputation of New Hamp. 
shire. 

“ Wal,” answered Hackett, after a short pause, “if we 
ain’t got ’em as big, we’ve got ’em twice as furious ; now, I 
tell you that ; and we has got ’em twice as fast. Some of 
’em will run as fast as a horse. We has ’em of that kind 
what will jist put their tails in their mouths, and roll arter 
you like a hoop ; and when they strikes yer with that tail, yer 
a gone sucker, unless ye has plenty of whiskey to pull at.” 

“ That accounts for so few of your folks dyin’ from the 
effects of the reptiles’ bites,” remarked Hez. 

“What?” 

“ ’Cause ye see every one carries whiskey in his pocket, 
as though expectin’ a snake bite ; ” and Hez laughed. 

It was just four O’clock when we entered a dark and silent 
gorge. On each side of us were rugged precipices, with 
huge masses of rock almost suspended in the air, and want- 
ing but a touch to send them crashing into the vale. As w« 
picked our way over the rooks, Hackett remarked, — 


984 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


“ Wal, stranger, this ain’t much of a place for raisin’ com^ 
is it ? ” 

“ No,” returned Hopeful, after a critical glance around ; 
“ but what a place for a water-power dam 1 See, you jist 
throw it up here, and you has water enough to last six 
months, and power enough to carry all the mills that could 
be jammed around the outside. What a chance for a feller ! 
Eh, what’s the matter ? Give me that ? ” 

Hopeful’s remarks were caused by Hackett suddenly stoop- 
ing and picking up a handkerchief stained with blood. Hes 
sprang forward, and snatched it from his hand, and 03m- 
menced examining it. 

“ It’s her wiper,” the young man said, pressing it to his 
lips. “ See, here’s the first letter of her name. She’s dead, 
and that scoundrel has killed her.” 

He uttered a howl of grief ; but Hackett checked him with 
a few words. 

“ She’s had the nose bleed,” the western man said. 
“ Young women allers has it. She’s used it all she wanted, 
and then threw it away, and took her apron and frock, like 
the good gal that she is. Thar ain’t no use for cryin’.” 

Under such mild treatment, Hez speedily recovered his 
composure, and was able to follow in our wake. At length 
wo reached the head of the ravine, and then turned to the 
right and commenced the ascent of the mountain. The path 
which we pursued was narrow, and would admit but one man 
at a time ; and the course was most tortuous, walled on each 
side with rocks, dead trees, stunted palms, and balsam wood. 
While we were slowly pursuing our way, Rover suddenly 
recovered the scent, and dashed on ahead of us. 

“ We are close to them,” J said. A few miles more and 
we shall have Amelia safe.” 

At that moment, some little distance above us, we heard 
the loud report of some kind of firearm, and then a bay, 
a fierce howl, as though Rover was deeply incensed at an 
afiront, and wanted to get hold of the person who fired 
the shot. 

** Was that a rifle shot ? ” I asked, turning to Hackett, 


A FIGHT. 


285 


I knew that it was not ; but I thought I would strengthen 
my opinion with one from a man who was accustomed to all 
kinds of firearms. 

“ That a rifle shot ! ” Hackett repeated in disgust. “ I 
should think not. No rifle sounds like that. I’ll bet a glass 
of whiskey with any man that a hoss-pistol did that work.” 

I bounded up the steep mountain side, stumbled over a 
piece of quartz that was slippery with moss which clung 
to its sides ; and, as I fell, a shot whizzed past me, and 
struck a tree on my right, cutting off a small branch, and 
dashing it into Hackett’s face. 

“ Wake snakes ! ” roared the western man. “ Hurrah for 
the fiist smell of powder.” 

“ To cover ! ” I cried, and sprang into the nearest clump 
of bushes, so that I was entirely concealed from observation. 

“ Bury ! ” returned Hackett, and plunged under the 
shadow of a tree, and took refuge behind its trunk. 

Then we peered out and took observation, but could see 
nothing of our enemy, although it was very probable that he 
saw us ; but if we could not see him. Hover did, for the dog 
kept up a continual baying, and yet he was but a few feet 
from us. I was fearful that the hound would bring bush- 
rangers to the spot if he continued his cries ; so I called him 
off. He obeyed me, but still manifested a strong desire to 
tear some one with his teeth. 

“ Where is he. Rover ? ” I whispered, and patted the dog 
on his head. 

He looked upward, and continued to manifest signs of 
uneasiness. I followed the direction of his eyes, but could 
see nothing excepting a ledge, with thick-leaved balsam trees 
on each side ; and they seemed to be just over our heads, 
growing on what appeared to be a shelf of the mountain. 

“ What is it, old dog ? ” I asked ; and just then I had a 
most emphatic answer in the shape of a pistol shot, the ball 
striking a piece of quartz by my side, then bounding off 
and grazing the skin on Mr. Hackett’s nose, causing that 
earnest gentleman to utter several oaths in succession. 

In an instant I rolled over and pretended to be shot; but 


286 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


as I turned, I managed to keep my eyes on the shelf over- 
head, so that I could note all the movements that took place. 
I was repaid for my trouble, for as I fell back and pressed 
my hand on my side, as though fatally wounded, I had the 
satisfaction of hearing a triumphant laugh issue from the 
thicket overhead ; and the next instant the repulsive features 
•f Moloch were thrust through the branches of the trees, 
and he seemed to enjoy the appearance which I presented. 

“ Bah ! you fools ! ” cried the rascal, in a mocking tone, 
“ do yer think that yer can take me ? I vos too quick for 
yer. Had yer come an hour sooner, yer might have caught 
me nappin’. But now I jist spits at yer. Ah, fools, I has 
the voman, and I means to keep her.” 

I seldom miss with a revolver, especially when the object 
at which I aim is within reasonable distance ; but I must 
confess that I was nervous and full of revengeful feelings, or 
perhaps I was too hasty ; for I suddenly raised my pistol and 
fired at the fiend who was grinning at me from amid the 
branches of the balsam trees. I missed the scoundrel, and 
yet I would have given a thousand dollars to have sent a 
bullet crushing through his brain, and killed him on the spot. 

“ Ho, ho ! yer didn’t come it,” laughed the fiend. “ Vait 
a minute and I’ll make yer see somethin’ that’ll open yer eyes.” 

He disappeared, and while he was gone I changed posi- 
tion, so that he could not single me out for another shot, in 
case he desired to test his old horse-pistols. 

“ You ain’t hit, is you ? ” whispered Hackett and Hopeful 
in anxious tones. 

“ No,” I answered. 

Before they could congratulate me, Moloch, the fiend ap- 
peared, bearing in his arms the almost lifeless form of poor, 
dear Amelia Copey, whose dress was torn and soiled, and 
whose hair was hanging down in tangled masses, neglected 
and unoared for. 

“ Look ! ” yelled the fiend, in a triumphant tone ; “ ’ere’s 
the gal vot I loves, and she vill love me afore long, or Til 
know the reason vy.” 

As he spoke he held the fair form in such a mafinor that 



1 







Look t ** yelled the fiend, in a triumphant tone.—Page 



mm 





?SS J 

M 

W.: 


t BjaB rfjKs 

































MOLOCH AND HIS VICTIM. 


287 


il ve fired we should be more likely to injure the lady than 
the brute who clasped her in his arms. 

“ Darn me if I stand that,” roared Hackett ; and with re- 
volver in hand, he sprang to his feet, and rushed towards the 
shelf on which Moloch stood. 

I was about to follow Hackett, when I saw his head dis- 
appear ; and then I heard his body strike among the trees 
and bushes as it fell, down, down the precipice on the ve^ 
edge of which we stood, unconscious of our danger. I drew 
back with a shudder, and at the same moment I heard a 
mocking laugh from Moloch. He had seen Hackett fall, and 
was enjoying the misfortune. 


CHAPTER XLm. 

MOLOCH AND HIS VICTIM. HE EXPLAINS MATTERS. NE- 
GOTIATIONS. FAILURE. WE RAISE THE SIEGE. 

Severait times did I raise my revolver for the purpose of 
taking aim at the rascal ; but the rogue was cunning, and 
sheltered his body with that of the lady’s, holding her form 
before his own, so that I did not dare to fire for fear of in- 
juring Amelia ; and Moloch knew very well that I was not 
rash enough for any such business as that, much as I might 
desire vengeance on the fellow. The cowardly conduct of 
Moloch almost drove Hopeful mad ; and if I had not re- 
strained him, and kept him within bounds, he would have 
rushed forward and attempted to reach the cliff on which 
the fellow stood, in defiance of the chasm just before us, and 
the huge horse-pistols which he had discharged at us and the 
dog so often. 

“ Do you see the blasted scoundrel ? ” cried Hez, with 
chattering teeth and flushed face. “He’s got her in his 
arms, and is hugging her like all possessed. Hang him, how 
I wish I had my self-regulating choke-all screw around hit 
neck I I’d twist the life out of him in no time.” 


888 


THB BUSHBANGEBS. 


“ Bo calm,” I irhispered, in reply, although I did not feel 
calm by any means, for I was burning to revenge the poor 
girl’s wrongs. 

“ Calm ! ” repeated Hez, in a tone of contempt ; “ how 
can I keep calm when that man is a huggin’ and kissin’ the 
gal, and I never dared to even touch her hand, much as I 
wanted to ? ” 

“ Hush,” I said ; “ Moloch is shouting to us. Let us hear 
what he says.” 

“ ViU yer listen to me for a moment, yer Yankee dogs ? 

“ Talk on, you British hound,” I responded. 

“ Veil, I vill, but don’t yer play none of yer tricks on me, 
’cos if yer does I vont stand it. Now listen, and hear vot I 
has for to say. Vill yer ? ” 

“Yes.” 

“ And yer vont shoot at me ? ” 

“ Not while you are talking with us.” 

“ Veil, then I vont bang at you; so come out ( ; the bush, 
and hear me.” 

We left our places of concealment, so that the rascal 
could see us ; and then for the first time Amelia turned her 
face and stretched out her hands towards us. Poor things 
we could see by her eyes how much she had suffered during 
the past twenty-four hours. All her little playful, coquettish 
airs were gone, and in their place were dejection and un- 
happiness, such as a young girl feels when she first meets 
with trouble. 

“ 0, Mr. Jack,” Amelia said, in trembling tones ; and 
then words failed her, and she commenced crying as though 
her heart was broken. 

“ She is veeping for me,” grinned Moloch. “ She knows 
that if she don’t mind her eye ve viU have to part, she 
goin* one way, and me another. That’s vot she knows, don’t 
you, deary ? ” 

“ Tell the coves,” Moloch continued, “ how much ve loves 
heach other, and how ve intends to live here on the moun- 
tain jist like two blessed lambs. That is,” the wretch con- 
tinued, “ if she minds me and cooks my mutton to a turn 


MOLOCH EZPLALKS MATTERS. 


^9 

If she don’t, down a gulch she goes, and I shall be left all 
alone.” 

The fellow paused for a moment, took a look at Amelia’s 
face, clasped her still more closely to his breast, as though 
fearful that our wrath would prompt us to fire at all hazards, 
and kill him at any risk. 

“ Come, speak up,” the fiend cried, and gave her a little 
shake to enforce attention. “ Knock off yer sobbin’, and tell 
the coves that ye is in love with me, and means to make me 
’appy.” 

“ I cannot speak,” Amelia replied. “ My words seem to 
choke me.” 

“ Yer vords vont choke yer, but I vill if yer don’t talk up 
Come, let’s have none of this gammon, or I’ll pitch yer off 
into the gorge.” He made a motion as though to throw hei 
from the shelf ; but the girl clung to him with desperate en- 
ergy, as though to prevent such a fearful fate. But as Mo- 
loch made the motion, I glanced down the gorge over which 
we were standing, and then understood how it happened 
that Hackett fell so suddenly. The edge of the precipice 
was covered with short brush, which concealed the danger 
until a person had entered it. Then a false step would 
be fatal ; for the gorge, or canon, was at least two hundred 
feet deep, and appeared to have been caused by some terri- 
ble convulsion of nature — some upheaving of the earth, 
that rent the mountain asunder, so that the distance across, 
from the top of the gorge, where we stood, to the other side, 
where Moloch was, measured at least twenty feet, and could 
only bo crossed by a bridge of some kind, so that the cun- 
ning rascal had Amelia completely in his power, and we 
could not help ourselves, although she was almost within 
our grasp. We were in a peculiar position, and Moloch 
knew it. We could not descend the gorge, for it was too 
steep ; and if we had made the attempt, we ran much risk 
of losing our lives, provided the bushes to which we would 
have to cling gave way. Even if we had succeeded in de- 
scending, a more difficult task was yet before us. We would 
have to scale the opposite side — an undertaking of no slight 


290 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


account, when it is understood that the precipice was per- 
pendicular, and the brush upon the sides was not of a 
vigorous growth. If we retraced our steps, and ascended 
the mountain from a different point, we would still be at 
fault, for we might wander about for days, and not find Mo- 
loch, even if he did not once more cross the bridge as soon 
as we left, and seek shelter at some of the shepherds’ huts 
which were scattered along the plains. 

The longer I pondered over the matter, the more dis- 
couraged I felt at the task before me. I think that Moloch 
must have comprehended some of the thoughts that passed 
through my mind, for he grinned in a most malicious man- 
ner as his eyes encountered mine, and he had the impudence 
to shout out, — 

“ Veil, Yankee, vot do yer think of it ? Can yer fly ? 
If yer can, yer can reach me ; if yer can’t, jist valk back to 
the farm and tell old Smith that I has the lass, and that I 
means to keep her till I’s tired of her. She loves I, and I 
loves her; so ve means to be ’appy ’ere in my kingdom. 
Now go back, or yer von’t be able to find yer vay out of the 
gulch. Take my vord for it, I ain’t to be reached by the 
likes of yer.” 

“ Listen, Moloch,” I said, commanding my temper as well 
as I was able, so that I could talk to the scoundrel in a con- 
vincing manner ; “ you know that you are in our power, as 
well as we know that the girl is in yours.” The fellow 
uttered a shout of derision. 

“ Hear me patiently,” I continued ; and the scoundrel 
seated himself on a rock, and drew the struggling girl to his 
lap, s,nd held her so that only a small portion of his head 
was exposed. He was determined that he would not be 
taken by surprise. All this time Amelia’s face was con- 
cealed in her hands, and I could hear her sob ; and every 
one that she uttered went to my heart, and almost un- 
manned me. 

“ Drive on,” Moloch said. “ Say vot yer’ve got to say, 
and don’t be long about it, ’cog I’ve got to have a little rest 
Yer know I vos up all night, don’t yer ? ” 


KEGOTIATIONS; 


291 


“ You know,” I continued, “ that you are in our power ; 
that you can’t leave the mountain without our consent. 
We can remain here on the watch, and starve you, or else 
compel you to go into the valley for food. Now don’t you 
think that it would be better to give up the girl, accept a 
large sum of money for so doing, and then go where you 
please, unmolested by any one ? ” 

“ How much money, Yankee ? ” Moloch demanded. 

“ One thousand pounds.” 

“ Now yer begin to talk. More money, Yankee ; the lass 
is worth it. If yer loves her as well as I does, yer won’t 
think of a few pounds. I must have somethin’ to pay me 
for a broken heart.” 

“ What do you think, Hez ? ” I asked. “ The fellow will 
demand two thousand pounds. Can we pay as much ? ” 

“ Yes, yes,” answered Hopeful, eagerly. “ Three thcu- 
sand, if he insists upon it ; any sum, so that we get the gal 
safe in our power. She’s worth all we give for her. Til 
stand my share of the blunt ; now yer see if I don’t.” 

“ And so will I,” was my response, in a hearty manner ; 
for I felt a little rebuked at the liberality of Hopeful, who 
wanted to acquire a fortune in such a short time. 

Wal,” shouted Moloch, with a vigorous squeeze of the 
yjung girl, who still sat in his lap, held there by force, 
“ vot docs yer coves think about it ? Don’t be all day, 
’cos me and the lass has been up all night, and ve vants a 
little rest. Don’t ve, ducky?” and the brute pulled the 
girl’s head back so that he could obtain a view of her fair 
face ; but Amelia struggled with him, and managed to turn 
towards us. 

“ 0, Mr. Jack,” she cried, “ if you have the least pity in 
your heart, do save me. Pay the money, and I will work 
like a slave until I give it all back to you. Save me from 
this man, and I’ll bless you forever and ever.” 

“ Amen ! ” cried Moloch, with a brutal shout of laughter. 
“ Yer see, Yankee, the lass ain’t quite at home vid me ; but 
she vill be afore many days.” 

In reply Amelia held out her arms in a beseeching man^ 


20 


THS fiUSHSAUGSBS. 


S9a 

ncr, and then her head fell, and she appeared to have 
fainted. Hopeful would have raised his revolver and fired 
if I had not restrained him. He was almost crazy with 
rage, and forgot all consideration or thought of the danger 
which the young lady would incur in case his hand trembled 
and the bullet chanced to strike the wrong person. Quick 
as the movement was, Moloch saw it, and took the alarm. 

“ You coves mean trickery,” he shouted ; and he sprang 
to his feet, and appeared disposed to beat a rapid retreat. 

“No, no,” I answered; “you are mistaken; we mean 
fair.” 

“ If I see any signs of that *ere game,” Moloch said, 
“ rU jist quit this palaver ; now mind your eye if I don’t.” 

We saw the danger that we encountered; we knew that 
the fiend who stood opposite to us, only a little higher up, 
would, in a moment of rage, murder Amelia, and then 
chuckle at our grief ; so I determined to temporize with the 
rascal, and buy her if possible. 

I assured the fellow that we had no thought of harming 
him, and at last calmed him so completely that he once 
more seated himself, and pulled the almost insensible girl 
into his lap. 

“Veil,” he said, “vot is it about money? Can yer talk 
big about the shiners ? The lass is worth all yer’U give 
for her. Now, then, Yankee, speak up like a man, and let’s 
hear you.” 

“ Your demands are excessive,” I said ; “ but we have 
considered the young lady’s situation, and are disposed to 
be liberal.” 

“ Vot do yer call liberal ? ” 

“ One thousand nine hundred pounds, all in gold, and to 
be paid you in two days’ time.” 

“ It won’t do,” was the ruffian’s response. “ I must have 
more dosh. I vant enough to last me through life. Give 
me three thousand.” 

“Til see you hanged first,” I answered. “I’d soonof 
cross over and take the girl by force.” 

“ rd like to see yer do it,” was the oomplaoent response 


WJB EAISB THE SIEQE. 


293 


“You know ifc can’t be did. Fd murder yer both afore ye 
could do it. Go back to the farm, get the dosh, and bring it 
here. Then FU let yer have the lass. Now start yerseives, 
’cos Fm sleepy and vant rest.” 

He caught Amelia in his arms, and retreated to the 
bush ; but as he retired we could hear one agonizing scream, 
that told of lost hope and deep despair on the part of 
Amelia. Then all was quiet, and for a moment Hez and I 
stood looking at each other with white faces and trembling 
limbs, hardly realizing all that had passed before us, and 
almost willing to believe that we had dreamed what we had 
witnessed ; and while we stood thus I was surprised to see 
tears trickling down Hopeful’s face. 

“ We’ve lost her,” he said ; “ we shan’t see her no more.” 

“ I think we shall,” I returned with more confidence than 
I felt. “ She is not lost to us.” 

“ She wouldn’t have been if you’d offered all the money 
the feller wanted. Why didn’t you give him the three thou- 
sand pounds ? She’s worth more’n that. You didn’t want 
her to get clear ; you know it.” 

“ Hopeful,” I said, in s, faltering tone, “ Moloch would 
have required his three thousand pounds in hand ; you 
know that we have no money with us. I did the best that I 
could in negotiating.” 

“ I don’t believe it,” he cried. “ I could have done bet- 
ter ; I know that [ could. You didn’t want the gal, ’cos she 
cares nothin’ about you. I know it.” 

“ Go and see what you can do in the way of a trade,” I 
said, losing a little patience. “ If you can buy the fellow, 
I’ve no objection to furnishing the money. Try him, and 
don’t waste time ; for we must descend the mountain, and 
look for poor Hackett’s body, and give it suitable buriaL 
We must not leave it for the wild dogs to feast on.” 

Hopeful turned from me abruptly, and walked to the edge 
of the precipice. 

“ Hallo, you sir,” he said, in a loud tone. There was ne 
response. 

“ Moloch, you rascal, come out and listen to me.” 


294 


IHE BUSHSAKGEBS. 


There was a stir in the bushes on the shelf opposite to ns, 
and the next moment a loud report and a ball cut the air 
close to Hez’s head. As usual, Moloch had missed with his 
antique horse-pistol. 

“ Darn yer,*' growled the brute ; “ if yer wakes me up agb 
m hit yer harder next time.” 

Hez made a movement to draw his revolver ; but Moloch 
saw the motion, and dodged back to his shelter, out of sight, 
and the son of New Hampshire joined me, indignant, but 
remarkably silent. I did not utter a word at the man’s 
failure, but commenced descending the mountain, so that I 
could find the gorge in which Hackett’s body was lying. 
After I found it, I determined to renew my efforts at re- 
covering Amelia, unless I had to retreat on account of the 
want of provisions, our stock of which was very low. 


CHAPTER XLIV. 

eiiOOMY PKOSPECT. A BKIGHT LIGHT. FKLEND8 OB FOES? 

I MUST confess that the prospect before us was not promis- 
ing. We were miles from the nearest shepherd’s station, 
with but a mouthful of food in our pockets, and but a sup 
or two of brandy in our canteens. As far as I was con- 
cerned, it did seem as though I could not walk five miles, 
without a long rest, to save my life ; and I know that Hei 
was full as lame as myself, for as soon as he recovered from 
his passion, disappointment, and vexation, and while we were 
descending the mountains, he admitted that such was the 
case, and hinted that a long halt was necessary on our part, 
so that he could take some of the stiffness out of his legs, 
which he declared were like ramrods. 

We reached the foot of the mountain an hour or two 
before sunset, and then commenced a search for the gorge. 
Already were the dark shadows stealing along tho side of 


GLOOMY PROSPECT. 


395 


the mountain, and shutting out the sunlight from the crevices 
which we had just left. We searched a long time, or until 
the st.n had entirely disappeared ; and then Hez found that 
it was useless to look any further for the gorge in which 
Hackett’s body was lying. He threw himself down upon 
the hot sand, through which we had waded, and confessed 
that he cculd go no farther. 

“ I must rest,” he said, “ until morning, for all life is out 
of me. If I should even hear Amelia’s voice, I don’t be- 
lieve that I have the strength to answer it. Poor girl ; do 
you think that the wretch will dare — ” He did not finish 
the sentence, for it seemed too terrible to talk about ; but as 
he buried his face in his hands, I could hear him sob as 
though his heart was nearly broken at the dreary prospect 
before the young and handsome coquettish girl, who had 
stolen his heart in spite of the claims which a New Hamp- 
shire beauty had upon it. 

No sooner did daylight vanish than we felt the cold air 
sweep down the side of the mountain, attracted by the burn- 
ing sand which covered the plain. We felt it, and antici- 
pated an uncomfortable night ; but suddenly I recollected 
the lesson which the serpents had taught me, and resolved 
to follow their example. I commenced scraping away the 
hot sand, scooping out a large hole capable of holding our 
bodies. Hez watched me at work, but did not offer to help until 
he saw the object which I had in view; and then he lent a 
willing hand. Poor fellow, it was rather tough experience 
for him, and I did not much blame him for his low spirits. 

“ Rover,” I said, “ go and find something to eat and 
drink. Kill a lamb if you can’t do better.” 

The brute understood me, for he wagged his tail in token 
of assent, and then trotted off, and was soon out of sight. 

“ This is not so bad, Hez,” I remarked, in a cheerful tone. 

There was no response. Hopeful had forgotten his trou- 
bles in sleep. I remained awake for half an hour or less, 
thinking of poor, dear Amelia, and the unfortunate Hackett, 
and then I dropped off, and dreamed that I was crossing the 
ehasm on a tight rope, and that Moloch was endeavoring to 


393 


THE BU8HRA2JGER8. 


eliake me from the same, and while I was striving to hold on 
he flung a snake at my head. It struck me on the nose, and 
BO great was the shock that I suddenly awoke, and found 
something cold pressed against my face. I started up, and 
a dozen wild dogs scampered off, alarmed at the movement 
of what they considered lawful prey. I once more nes- 
tled in the sand, piled it around my shoulders as well as 
I was able, and was asleep in less than a minute. This 
time I dreamed that I saw Hackett’s body, terribly bruised, 
lying in the gulch, with face dark and swollen, festering under 
the hot sun, and that one of the arms of the corpse was 
raised, as though to remind me that I must not forget to 
inter the body as soon as it was found. 

“ I will not,’* I said ; and I must have spoken in a loud 
tone, for. the sound of my voice awoke me. 

I started up, and found Eover near my head, licking his 
jowls, as though he had feasted, and was indulging in the 
remembrance of the same. As I sat up, I patted his head, 
and glanced towards the mountain. To my surprise, I saw, 
not more than a mile from us, a bright fire ; and it appeared 
as though I could distinguish forms moving around it. For 
a few minutes I sat and looked at the unexpected sight, so 
as to be certain that I was not laboring under some delusion ; 
and then I punched Hez in his ribs — a proceeding that pro- 
duced an oath or two on the part of that young man. 

Go to thunder, and let me alone,” he said. 

“ You would soon go to him if I should let you alone,” I 
replied, and once more touched his ribs with no light hand. 

“ What in thunder is the matter ? ” Hez asked. 

“ Clear your eyes of sand, and then look under the sheltei 
of the mountain,” I said. 

Hopeful complied, but he had slept so sound that the effort 
was rather a laborious one ; and half asleep as he was, he 
muttered, “I don’t see nothin’.” 

“ Will you never awaken ? ” I asked. “ Look, and see 
what is near us. Think of Amelia and revenge.” 

In an instant he had shaken off all his drowsiness, and wta 
looking at the fire with as intent a gaze as myself. 


A BRIGHT LIGHT. 


297 


“ What is it ? ” he asked in a whisper, as though fearful 
that his voice would be heard by those around the fire. 

“ That is what we must find out,” I replied. “ If there 
are bushrangers around that fire, we must avoid them ; if 
natives, hire them for a few days ; and if Moloch is there w« 
must — ” 

“ Kill him,” Ilez cried, springing to his feet. 

“ Act cautiously,” I said. “ Kemember that we tread on 
dangerous ground — that we are surrounded by enemies, 
and — ” 

But Hez did not hear me. He was walking towards the 
fire at a rapid pace, and I found that I had as much as 1 
could do to keep up with him ; so between restraining the 
dog and my friend, I had as much as I could attend to for 
the first five or ten minutes of our movement. A few blows 
with a strap brought Hover to his senses, and caused him to 
keep by my side ; and then I darted forward, and seized 
Hopeful by his collar, and held him fast. 

“ What do yer mean ? ” he demanded, in an angry tone. 

“ That I am determined to save your life and my own 
Now, just be guided by me. We are near danger. I don’t 
want my throat cut by a party of bushrangers, nor to he 
knocked over by a boomerang from the hand of an excited 
native. We must approach that fire cautiously, and not as 
though we had a regiment of traps at our back. Be guided 
by me.” 

The distance was too great to distinguish the party clus- 
tered around the fire. Neither could we hear the sound of 
their voices ; so we loosened our revolvers, saw that they 
were capped, that our bowie-knives were handy, and then 
dropped on our hands and knees, and crawled towards the 
fire. By and by Hopeful put his mouth close to my ear, and 
whispered, — 

“ Bushrangers, sartin — I know it.” 

“ How do you know it ? ” 

“ ’Cos one does all the talkin’ and swearin*. You don’t 
hear but one voice. Listen.” 

I did listen, and was so much interest ad that I concluded 

11 


298 


THE BUSHRANQEK3. 


to crawl LCArer the fire and examine the face of the man who 
talked se much, and to whom the others listened so respect- 
fully. It was not a bushranging custom. Men of the bush 
had but little respect for each other, and were not fond of 
what they called “ blab.”' ’ 

I waited patiently for ten minutes ; and then a particle of 
sand got into my nostrils, and caused me to sneeze. 

*‘What in the fiend’s name is that?” cried the yoice, 
which somehow sounded familiar to me. 

I saw two or three forms rise from the ground, and glance 
around, while at the same time some one stirred the fire, 
and a bright flame started up. By its light I saw that the 
men were Australian natives, and that they were armed with 
spears and boomerangs. 

“ Squat down, you black fellers,” some one cried in Eng- 
lish. “ Don’t you be afeard as long as I’m here. Down with 
yer, and let’s have another slice of kangaroo.” 

Here, you black imp,” the voice said, after the natives 
were seated, “ cut me off a big junk of meat, and then pass 
the coffee. Ah ! don’t put yer dirty mugs in it afore Fm 
done. White men first, the world over.” 

I could not be mistaken — that was surely the voice of 
Hackctt, my Dlinois friend. And he seemed remarkably 
lively, just as though he had not fallen from a three hundred 
feet precipice, broken his limbs, and generally disariranged 
his system. 

“ It’s him or the gl i os t,” muttered Hez. 

“ Illinois, aho ! ” I roared, making a speaking-trumpet of 
my hands. 

“ Hello ! ” was the instant response. 

“ Is that you or your ghost ? ” 

“Me, a-stuffin’ of kangaroo meat and coffee. Heavt 
ahead, and have some.” 

We rushed towards the fire, and there saw Hackett, the 
man whom wo supposed dead, seated on the sand, roasting 
p:ieat and drinking coffee, and surrounding him were a dozen 
natives. 

“ Gllad to see yer, old feUer,” cried Hackett, as we shook 


FRIENDS OR FOES? 


299 


hands. “ Knew I should come across yer som iwhai afore 
long.” 

“ Why, we supposed ycu dead,” I remarked. 

“ Dead be darned. What in thunder should kill me, I 
should like to know ? ” 

“ The fall from the precipice, to be sure.” 

“ Yes, I went over ; but that’s no reason why I should 
knock my brains out, is it ? ” 

I saw that Hackett was determined to take his own time in 
relating his experiences ; so, as we were hungry, we brushed 
the natives aside, and sat down near the hre, first helping 
ourselves to a junk of kangaroo flesh. 

“ Help yerselves,” cried Hackett, who had lighted his pipe, 
and approved of our actions with a nod. 

“ Tell us your experience,” I said. 

“ Wal, ’tain’t much, now I’ve gone through with it ; and al- 
though Fm a little sore, I ain’t got no limbs broke. I made 
one of these nigs rub me down with kangaroo fat, and I 
think it’s took some of the soreness out of me. That’s the 
worst hit what I got.” 

As he spoke he stripped up the leg of his trousers, and 
exhibited a shocking bruise, one nearly a foot long, and 
black and blue. 

“ Come here, you black imp and rub it. Kinder begins 
to feel a little stiff, like.” 

The native understood more by motion than he did by 
words. He commenced rubbing the bruised part with a 
caieful hand, and then Hackett finished the account of his 
adventures. 

“Ye see, when the British man, the one what had the gal 
in his arms, kinder got me riled, and I jist made a rush for 
him, and that’s whar I made a mistake. I had ought to have 
played Injun ; but ye see I didn’t, and I suffered for it. The 
fust thing I knowed, I was a goin’ down that gorge head 
fust ; and then the next thing I felt was, that I struck a tree, 
and bounded off to another one. I caught at that, but it was 
no go. On I went, like an express train ; and then I slipped 
from tree to tree, and at last landed in the centre of some 


soo 


THE BUSHRANGERS, 


bushes ; and thar I laid for a while, wonderin’ if I was in 
heaven or on ’arth ; for it didn’t seem as though I had much 
breath in me jist then. I kinder think I went to sleep, for 
I didn’t know much for some time ; and when I woke up, it 
took me half an hour to move and get out of the bush, whap 
I was lodged pretty fast.” 

“ Why didn’t you call for help ? ” I demanded. 

“ What for ? Didn’t I know you was busy, and that the 
gal was of more importance than me ? ” He then con- 
tinued : — 

“ I waited a little while, and then I began to pick my way 
out of the gorge. I was some time a doin’ it, but I seemed 
to get strength as I moved along, and at last I found the 
plain ; and then who should I meet but these black cliaps! 
When they seed me, they would have cut, but I stopped ’em 
by jist pintin’ my rifle ; and then I made ’em build a fire 
while I knocked over a kangaroo that came near us. And 
that’s the end of my yarn.” 

I did not ask any questions, because just at that moment 
the Illinois gentleman was writhing under the influence of 
pain, the native using the palm of his hand in an active 
manner, in attempting to reduce the swelling which disfig- 
ured the poor fellow’s leg. 

“ Yes,” said Hackett, as soon as he could speak, “ I must 
use that leg to-morrow, ’cos if I did tumble it was for a good 
purpose. While I was down in that ’ere gorge, I jist saw a 
trail what will take us right up to the Britisher. Thar’s no 
mistake about it. I seed it with my own eyes.” 

Hopeful started to his feet. 

“ Let’s go for that trail now,” he said. “ Perhaps we can 
find Amelia to-night.” 

“ You’d have sharp eyes, then, let me tell yer. We must 
wait till daylight.” 

We went to sleep, and did not awaken until aroused by 
the roar of Hopeful, a sand bug having fastened to his leg, 
and he labored under the impression that a snake was 
biting him. 


ON THE TRAIL. 


SOI 


CHAPTER XLV. 

Cir THB TRAIL. — A TOITNa GIRL*8 DISTRESS. -•-A RlTFPIAK^i 
THREATS. FORWARD TO THE RESCITE. 

Odr friend was too seriously bruised to think of walking. 
His leg presented such an appearance of discoloration that I 
seriously feared he would lose it, unless he had medical 
treatment. I took what little brandy I had left, and rubbed 
the limb as gently as possible, for each touch of my hand 
caused him intense pain, although the poor fellow declared 
that it was a waste of good liquor, and that it would do him 
much more good if taken internally. And the natives 
seemed to think the same thing ; but they had a slight dif- 
ference of opinion as to who should imbibe it. They con- 
tended that their stomachs were well calculated for a dose, 
and Hackett thought the same thing, and begged me to give 
him just a wine-glass full ; and so urgent were his entrea- 
ties, that I consented. 

As Hackett raised the canteen to his lips, the natives ut- 
tered a howl and danced around him, the victims of despair. 
But we calmed them with promises and threats ; and then 
I suggested that Hackett should mount on the shoulders of 
one of the blacks and accompany us to the gorge, so that he 
could show us the trail which led to the mountain. In this 
position our western friend could move without much pain 
or trouble. It was tough on the natives, but their reward 
was to come ; so we did not spare their feelings as much as 
we might have done. With some little trouble we made the 
blacks comprehend what we wanted, and then mounted 
Hackett on the shoulders of the stoutest man of the party ; 
and as the western gentleman clasped his arms around the 
neck of the fellow who bore him, he remarked, — 

“ This ’ere cuss won’t run as long as Pm on his back. 
Ton see if he does. Now, then, go ahead, old fellow. 


m 


THE BUSHKANGERS. 


We has no time to lose if we wants to breakfast with th« 
young lady.” 

Our course was blocked with stones, mounds of earth, 
and trunks of dead trees, which had been washed from the 
mountain side during the winter rains, and then lodged in 
the gorge until the next spring freshet drove them to the 
plains, where the sand, wood, and stones mingled, and in the 
cource of time formed soil suitable for the growth of such 
grass as sheep and cattle feed upon when nothing better is 
to be obtained. Here the natives had hard work, as they 
were compelled to spell each other very often, their load 
was so heavy, and the road was so rough. More than once 
I caught the rascals looking over their shoulders, as though 
they were disposed to run for it ; but a touch of my re- 
volver changed their minds, and they would do the best they 
could to carry Hackett over the route. 

“ Dump me here,” said Hackett, after we had penetrated 
the ravine about a mile, and the difficulties of locomotion 
steadily increased. 

“^llang the leg,” he said, as we laid him down on some 
sand, the softest place that we could find; “how it does 
jump ! just as I want to use it, too.” 

We offered to rub it, but the man declined. 

“You ain’t got no time,” he said. “ You must start on 
the trail ; thar it is, close to them bushes. You can’t see it 
unless you puU ’em apart. It is jist opposite whar I come 
over. That’s the tree I lighted on. Kinder shook me up, 
didn’t it ? Now, then, jist pick yer way up that trail, and 
you’ll find the gal and the Britisher. But be kinder keer- 
ful how you go, ’cos the bushes is thick and the path narrer. 
Leave me here ; I’ll look arter the natives, and see that 
they don’t cut stick. Take care of yerselves, and come 
back as soon as possible, ’cos I shall feel kinder lonesome, 
with no one to talk to but these black fellers, and they can’t 
understand me much.” 

It was rather ticklish work, walking up the side of that 
mountain, unable to see if enemies lurked on either side. 
There were some points in our favor, which we were to 


OS XOaH TBAIL. 


803 


make the most of. Moloch would not suspect our presence, 
and therefore would not he on the watch. He would not 
have the least idea that we were so near him, and unless 
he had friends we could count on an easy victory. All was 
quiet as we worked our way along, and after an hour’s toil 
we suddenly left the trail and the hushes on each side, and 
found that we were close to the rock on which Moloch had 
defied us the day before. 

“ Down ! ” I whispered ; and at the word Hopeful and 
myself dropped to the earth, and crawled behind a clump of 
bushes, where we could not he seen unless some one was 
close to us. 

“ The villain is near us,” I said. “ Perhaps he is asleep.*' 

“ And p’haps he’s watching us,” suggested Hopeful. 

As I had no facts that such was not the case, I remained 
silent, and listened. 

“ Let the dog lead us to ’em,” remarked Hopeful ; “ it 
will save time.” 

I called Kover to my side, and told him what I wanted ; 
and I spoke just as though I was addressing a human being 
with good reasoning powers. The brute understood me, 
and with his head to the earth he walked slowly on towards 
a grove of palm trees, that stood just above us on an ele- 
vated part of the mountain. We followed him on our hands 
and knees, sheltering ourselves as well as we were able, 
and, after some moments of excessive toil, gained the edge 
of the wood, and found Rover lying down and awaiting us, 
with an expression upon his intelligent face that seemed to 
convey a great deal of meaning. 

“ What is it, good dog ? ” I whispered. 

He manifested an inclination to bound forward, and by 
the bristling of his hair I knew that an enemy was near. 

1 kept him back by a motion of my hand, and then crawled 
forward until I suddenly stopped to listen ‘ to a sound that 
was strange to my ears. It was a woman weeping. 

I changed my position, moving a little to the left, so that 
I could remain sheltered by the bushes, and yet see all that 
was going on just ahead of me. The advantage of this 


t04 


THK BUBHKAISQBBJS. 


movement was soon apparent ; for while we were w*nder« 
ing if those sobs came from Amelia, we heard the harsh 
voice of Moloch. 

“ Vill yer stop that ’ere snufflin’ ? ” he asked. “ Does yer 
s’pose I can ’joy my breakfast ven yer is makin’ that kind 
of noise ? ” 

The only response to this was a fresh torrent of tears and 
•obs. Hopeful began to look wild. 

~ I found that it was only by a powerful effort that I could 
oiommand my feelings. But I remembered the fate which 
the abductor deserved ; so I replaced my revolver, and de- 
termined to wait, and learn as much as possible before we 
acted. 

The sobbing continued. I could not see the young lady, 
neither could I see Moloch. They happened to be behind a 
bush that stood just in front of us. We continued to listen. 

“ ViU yer stop that ’ere ? ” the brute asked. “ Vot is 
the use of yer makin’ that noise ? It von’t do yer no kind 
of good, and yer knows it; yer only hurts yerself for 
nothin’. I don’t vant a vife vot has red eyes all the time — 
does yer s’pose I does ? ” 

“ 0, take me home ! ” we heard the poor girl exclaim. 

“ Not a bit of it,” was the reply. “ I has yer fast, and I 
means to keep yer.” 

Here the ruffian chuckled in an audible manner, and the 
sobbing was renewed. 

“ Yer didn’t think yer’d have me for a husband, did yer,” 
the wretch cried, “ ven yer used to turn up your nose at me ? ” 

A fresh volley of sobs and cries was the only response, 
and that seemed to provoke Moloch. 

“ Don’t I tell yer that I vill marry yer some time if yer 
is good and minds me ? Vot more does yer vant ? Jis* 
make the most of it, ’cos thar’s no one to help yer. The 
poor coves vot follered us has gone home, ’cos they knowed 
they couldn’t reach me ; so now vot has yer to hope for ? ” 

“Nothing but God’s mercy,” was the almost inaudible 
response. 

“ Yell, that ma^ do for another vorld, but it von’t do for 


A EUrnAN’8 THEKAT, 


S05 


this ; so jist put yer trust in me, and FU treat yer kindly till 
I gets ready to sell yer to some of my bushranging chums/* 

At this threat the poor girl renewed her lamentations, and 
in such a loud tone that Moloch was enraged 

“If yer don’t s:op that I’ll jist lay hands on yer,” he 
said ; and we could hear the fellow walk towards her. 

While he was moving, we shifted our position, and man* 
aged to obtain a view of the parties. I saw Amelia, her 
dress torn, her hair down over her shoulders, lying upon a 
bed of leaves in an arbor-shaped hut constructed of trees 
and branches. This was the place which Moloch or some 
one else had prepared with some little patience. By the 
time the wretch had reached the girl, we were enabled to 
gain our new position, and see all that transpired. He laid 
his hand upon her shoulder, not in a gentle manner, and 
raised her to a sitting position. 

“ Stand up,” he said ; “ I vant to talk to yer. Now, if yer 
don’t jist shut up, and smile on me, and kiss me when I vants 
yer to, yer vill go over the bank, and never know vot hurt 
yer. Bo yer hear ? ” 

He shook her in a fierce manner, as though he had lost all 
patience with her, but the next moment softened, for when 
she turned her eyes upon the man, he spoke more gently. 

“ Come, be a good lass, and love me, and then Fll treat 
yer veil.” 

“ Love a wretch like you ! ” she cried. “ No 1 I hate 
you ! and if it were possible to give you to the hangman, I 
would do so.” 

She spoke as though her wrongs had made her desperate, 
and reckless to her fate. For one moment the scoundrel 
quailed before her; but the next instant he sprang for- 
ward with his huge, black fist upraised, as though to strike 
her to the earth ; and he would have done, so, if I had not 
spoken to the dog just in time to save her. With a growl 
that sounded savage and threatening. Rover bounded 
over the bushes, towards Moloch, while Hopeful and I 
followed the animal, pushing on through the brush as 
fast as possible, and with such success that we wen 


806 


THB BU8HEAKGEK8. 


close upon his heels, when the rascal, who was threatening 
Amelia, turned, his attention being attracted by the noise 
which we made. He saw us, and comprehended all at a 
glance. His hand sought the handle of his heavy knife ; and 
if the hound had not been close to him, he would have been 
enabled to draw it, and we should have had to content our- 
selves with simply shooting the villain, which we did not 
want to do, such a death being too easy for crimes such as 
he had committed. The dog was too quick for him. He 
went over the bushes at a flying leap, just touched the 
ground, and then bounded forward straight at the throat of 
the shepherd, whose right hand was on the hilt of his knife. 
The fellow saw that he would not have time to draw it ; so he 
suddenly adopted a new plan. He thought that the dog would 
not attack a person who was well known ; so he managed to 
stammer out : — 

“ Good doggy.” 

Ho had no chance to utter more. The hound did not ap- 
preciate his endearments, for the noble animal dashed at 
the man’s throat, and down he went. 

“ Take him off,” the scoundrel yelled ; and then we broke 
through the brush, and stood before the half-distracted girl 
and the struggling, groaning, panting Moloch. 

“ Saved ! saved ! ” cried Amelia ; and down she tumbled 
upon her knees, and up went her hands, raised towards 
heaven in token of gratitude to Him who had directed our 
steps, and sustained us during all our hardships and troubles. 

“ Take the brute off, vill ye ? ” roared Moloch, who saw 
us, and desired aid even at our hands. 

“ "Which one is the brute ? ” asked Hopeful, who really 
seemed to enjoy the sight before him. 

“ In the name of heaven, take off the dog 1 ” howled 
Moloch, who still struggled with the hound. 

“ In one moment,” I said ; and then, stooping down, I 
removed the knife from his belt, so that he could not use it. 

“ Now don’t you move,” I remarked. “ If you do it will 
be all the worse for you. Eelease him, good dog.” 

The hound let go his hold, and the instant he did so, Mo« 


ON THE MOUNTAIN. 


807 


loch struck him with his clinched fist. The animal avenged 
the insult in a savage manner, for with one snap of his 
mighty jaws, he tore a huge piece of fiesh from the rascal’s 
face, causing it to present a most shocking spectacle, for the 
blood spurted out and dyed his red beard and breast one 
mass of carmine. The fellow uttered some frightful curses, 
but I did not heed them ; and then without opposition I 
strapped his arms behind his back, secured him so that he 
could not run away, or do any mischief, and then turned to* 
wards the lady, whom I found on the ground, and once more 
weeping most bitterly. 


CHAPTER XLVL 

OW THE MOTTNTAIN. AMELIA’S 6BIEF. — SHE DEMANDS 

VENGEANCE. PKEPABATIONS FOE HANGING. 

It was a great triumph to stand over such a scoundrel as 
Moloch, and know that he was a prisoner, and was like to 
be punished as his crimes deserved. When I left Smith’s 
station I had pledged my word to return with Amelia — 
to save her, if such a thing was possible ; and now, when 
I looked at the villain, as he was lying at my feet, securely 
bf^und, I could not help feeling that I had sustained, in a 
measure, the reputation which I had enjoyed, and which I was 
sp anxious to maintain during my residence in Australia, simply 
because I desired to show the pig-headed Englishmen that 
Americans were full as clever as themselves in all that 
makes a man adventurous and noble. 

Of course Moloch’s tongue was not idle while I was tying 
him. He blasphemed in the most outrageous manner, and 
swore that we did not dare to give him fair play in a free 
fight— just as though such a wretch was capable of compre- 
heJJiding anything that was just or honest. 

“ If my hand hadn’t viggled,” he cried, “ I’d have popped 
yei >ver the mornin’ arter I was turned out of the bouseL 


808 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


I came near puttin’ a ball through yer head, and Fm sorry 
I didn’t. Drat yer for a downey cove.” 

The ruffian kicked at me with his heavy shoes; but the 
blow fell short, luckily for me, for the brogans were armed 
with iron nails of monstrous size, and if he had touched my 
skin I should have been lamed for some days. 

Eover understood the movement as a challenge, and he did 
not fail to accept it. He dashed at the prostrate ruffian, 
gave him a severe nip, and then looked at me, as though 
waiting for commendation for the act. 

“ Do yer want the dog to murder me ? ” asked Moloch, 
with some manifestations of alarm. 

“ I don’t care what he does to you,” was my answer ; and 
then I turned towards Amelia, who was seated on the ground, 
her face covered with her long, thick hair, as though to shut 
from her sight the presence of two of her best friends, or 
as if the light of day was hateful to her. 

The stockman continued his abuse until it was so bad that 
Hez stopped his mouth with a stick, putting it in until the 
fellow’s tongue was forced aside, and incapable of movement. 
Then Hopeful compelled him to rise, and move down the 
trail to the gulch, where Hackett was awaiting us, leaving 
Amelia and me alone. 

“ Come, Amelia,” I said, “ summon all your resolution, 
’dry your tears, and be prepared to meet the world with 
calmness, if not with happiness. You are saved, your life 
is spared, and you have so much to be thankful for that your 
present despondency should not be lasting.” 

She clung to me closely as I spoke ; but she did not look 
up, nor cease to sob. Her face was buried in my bosom, 
and still covered with her long hair, once so bright and 
shining, and in which she took so much pride when 1 first 
knew her, in her coquettish days, when life seemed full of 
pleasure, and was of a rosy hue. 

“ Death would have been better than this disgrace,” she 
managed to murmur ; and then she broke down, and com- 
menced moaning, and it was a long time before I could calm 
her so that she was prepared to listen to reason. 


AMELIA’S GRIEF. 


302 


“ 0 God ! ” she said, at length, “ how can I return home 
and meet my relatives, with this terrible disgrace hanging 
over me ? I shall die with grief.” 

“ Grief seldom kills, and there are many days of happi- 
ness in store for you. Come, let us return to your friends, 
whom you will meet and inform that your injuries are 
avenged, that death has settled the account.” 

“ You promise me that he shall die ? ” she asked, in an 
eager tone. 

“ I promise. If you wish to witness his fate, you shall. 
You can feast your eyes on his last struggles, and think how 
dearly the wretch paid for the outrages he committed.” 

Then, for the first time, she brushed back the hair that 
had concealed her face, and I was enabled to catch a glimpse 
of her eyes, swollen and red with weeping. How different 
she looked from the time when she had made mouths” at 
me, because I had crossed some of her whims, or laughed at 
some of her vanities — girl-like and innocent, but still suf- 
ficient to cause me to smile and ridicule what I really liked. 

“ You — you — will tell sister that I did not come — come 
here — here of my own accord ? ” she asked in a low whis- 
per. 

“ Why, of course she knows that such is the case. We 
all know that the villain forced you to go with him. They 
all understood that before I left your home. You need not 
fear but that your reception will be all you can desire, cordial 
and tender.” 

“ 0, I have suffered so much ! ” she moaned. “ It seems 
as though I had grown old within the last two days.” 

“ But in a short time your sufferings will cease. Make one 
effort, and then you will reach home.” 

“I will try,” she said, -and partially dried her tears; but 
when she attempted to walk, I found that her feet were badly 
cut with stones, her shoes worn out and hanging in strips. 
Every ste^^ she took was accompanied with such expressions 
of pain that I at last determined to take her in my arms, 
and carry her to the foot of the mountain, difiicult as I knew 
ihe task would be. WTien I suggested it to her, she disap- 


810 


THE BUSHRANGBES. 


proved of the plan ; but a few steps convinced her that hef 
feet could never take her form down the trail, rocky and 
rough as it was ; so she made no strong objection when I 
raised her in my arms, and commenced picking my way down 
the side of the mountain. 

“You are real good,” she whispered, as her arms were 
thrown around my neck, and her head rested on my bosom. 

“ Of course I am,” I replied in a cheerful tone, glad that 
■he had found some theme to divert her thoughts. 

“ I used to think you were hateful,” Miss Amelia con- 
tinued. 

“ I have no doubt of it ; but I never entertained such an 
opinion of you. I knew that you were a little coquette ; but 
all young girls have that failing.” 

“ Now rest a moment,” Amelia said, when she found that 
I began to feel her weight. 

I never saw a girl more tender and considerate than 
Amelia, even under such trying circumstances as she was 
placed in. Suffering as she did, ill treated as she had been, 
overpowered by grief as she was, the poor child still found 
time to condole with me on account of the burden which I 
had assumed. 

“ Are all Americans like you ? ” she asked, as I once more 
resumed my precious load. 

“ Well, yes, I think they resemble me in some respects,” 
I answered. “ For instance, my countrymen like to look at 
a handsome face, and if a lady possesses one, all her faults 
are forgiven.” 

“ And is that the reason why you paid such court to the 
young girl you brought to the house ? Jenny, I think you 
called her.” 

For the first time since we had met she raised her eyes to 
mine ; but it was only for a moment. They dropped in an 
instant, and were blinded by tears. I was just about to sit 
down with my precious load, for the purpose of resting, — 
and I have no doubt but that I should have uttered some 
nonsense, — when I heard steps ascending the mountain ; and 
the next instant Hopeful stood before me. His presence 


AMEl.IA’S GHIKP. 


sn 


prevented the words which I should Lave spoken, as much 
under the influence of pity as of passion. 

“ Give her to me/’ my friend said, in an ungenerous tone ; 
and he made a grab at her, as though he would tear her from 
my arms. 

She clung to me for a moment, closer than ever ; and then 
her arms were loosened, and she whispered, “ You are tired ; 
let me go.” 

I was tired, and my arms ached ; but I could have endured 
the fatigue, for the sake of being. kind to the poor child, had 
I not known Hopeful’s jealous nature, and how sensitive he 
was ; therefore I relinquished the girl to Hez. I followed 
him down the side of the mountain, and although it was 
some distance to the gorge where William Hackett kept 
watch and ward over the natives and the prisoner Moloch, 
yet the enthusiastic and strong-limbed Hopeful disdained to 
stop and rest until he had reached the foot of the mountain. 
As I appeared in sight, Hackett received me with a cheer 
and a flourish of the pipe which he was smoking, and his 
rifle, which he had laid across his knee for the purpose of 
using it in case of disaffection on the part of the subjects 
who were under his charge for the time being. After the 
Illinois gentleman had exhibited his pleasure at my return, 
he commenced rubbing his bruised leg, and consoling Amelia 
after a style that was far more original than elegant. 

“ Don’t cry, young woman,” he said ; “ sich is life. We 
must all come to it, you know. Don’t think nothin’ about 
it, and then you’ll be all right. A cup of tea, strong, and 
plenty of sugar in it, will put you on yer pins agin. Look 
at me.” 

I knew that Hackett only needed a hint to hold his tongue ; 
so, as I slapped him on his back, I whispered to him that the 
lady was not in a mood to listen to advice, however good. 
He took the hint, and turned his attention to Moloch, whom 
Hopefil had bound to a tree in so secure a manner that the 
feUow could not escape. I expected that Hackett would not 
b-e over choice in his remarks, or that Moloch would remain 
silent under his taunts. Whatever he said in extenuation 


312 


THK BtrSHRANGERS. 


of his crime, would grate harshly upon Amelia’s ears, and 
render her more miserable than she was at the present time ; 
so, as S5on as Hackett turned his batteries upon the prisoner, 
I led the young girl away, so that she could neither see nor 
hear what was going on. 

“ Do not move from this place,” I said as I turned to leave 
her, “ until I return.” 

She nodded her head in token of her acquiescence, and 
then, to my surprise, said, “ I have been most terribly in- 
suited by that villain Moloch. Promise me that my injuries 
shall be avenged ; that he shall not live to boast of his inhu- 
man treatment.” 

“ Amelia,” I said, taking her hand and speaking as calmly 
as I could, “ when I left your home in pursuit of Moloch, I 
determined that I would avenge the outrage if I could over- 
take the villain. He is in our power. Rest assured that I 
have not forgotten my vow.” 

“ But I cannot appear in a court-room,” she remarked. 
“ I could never bear to meet the eyes of a gaping crowd. It 
would kill me.” 

“ You shall not be called upon for any such trial. Trust 
to me for that.” 

“ I will,” she answered, and pressed my hand, and would 
have kissed it if I had not jerked it away. 

“ You will not remain long ? ” she asked, as I was leaving 
her. 

“ No, not long,” I answered ; and I thought how many 
minutes it would take to choke the breath out of the brute 
w^bo had made two attempts upon my life, and forcibly 
carried off a young lady, because he suspected she cared 
more for me than she did for himself. 

When I joined my comrades I found them engaged in 
reviling Moloch. The wretch did not suppose for a moment 
that we would dare to injure him, excepting as far as a few 
slight kicks or cuffs were concerned. He did not once 
imagine that we would take his life. It was in consequence 
of false hope and expectations that Moloch was rather lively 
when I returned. 


PKEPARATIONS FOR HANGING. 


818 


“ Say, Yankee,” the scoundrel asked, “ how did yer find 
me out ? ” 

Instead of replying to the reuiark I began to look around 
for a tree that could boast of a strong limb. 

“ Vot is it ? ” he asked. “ Vot do you vant ? ” 

“ A rope and tree strong enough to hang you,” I an- 
swered. 

Yer don t dare to do it ; it ain’t lawful. I defy yer.” 

“ Here’s fun,” cried Hackett ; and from his knapsack he 
took a stout rope and threw it towards me. “ Hang the 
scoundrel ;give me the end of the rope to hold when he 
swings off. Blast him ! no mercy.” 

The prisoner saw the preparations with dismay, and 
uttered protests, prayers, and angry howls, of which we 
took no notice ; while I quietly made a slip-noose, and ad- 
dressed Moloch as soon as he would permit me. 

“ Say your prayers, for you have hut a few moments to 
live,” I remarked. 

“ You don’t dare to do it,” he cried, although his teeth 
chattered as he spoke, thus belying the air of courage which 
he assumed. 

I nodded to Hez. He sprang forward and unbound Mo- 
lOch from the tree, and then dragged the wretch towards 
the place of execution. At last the natives began to com- 
prehend the meaning of the preparations, and they danced 
around the prisoner with demonstrations of joy at the pro- 
posed treat ; and the two stoutest willingly lent Hopeful a 
helping hand in dragging the fellow forward towards tho 
rock from whence ho was to take his final leap. 


S14 


THE BUSHRAHGEE8. 


CHAPTER XLVIL 

THE HANGING. — AN INTERRUPTION. THE TABLES TURNEB, 

— ESCAPE OP AMELIA. A TABLEAU. 

At length Hopeful and the two natives, who worked with 
much zeal, as though they would have been willing to help 
hang every Englishman in Victoria, dragged the prisoner to 
the rock, and put the rope around his neck. The instant it 
touched him he yelled to the extent of his voice, and began 
to realize his situation. He saw that we were in earnest, 
and really meant to hang him; and as he was not quite 
prepared to die, and was a coward at best, he made con- 
siderable trouble for us in the way of noise and struggles. 

“ Look a-here, you coves,” he cried, “ yer ain’t in arnest ; 
yer know yer has no right to do this sort of a thing. I 
must be tried afore one of the big vigs, and found guilty, 
and sentenced in reglar ship-shape fashion. I don’t under- 
stand this kind of vork.” 

“Pray,” I answered. “If you have prayers to utter, 
now is the time to use them.” 

“ You can’t frighten this cove,” was the answer. “ Pm 
game ; I knows vot my rights is, and PU stick to ’em.” 

“When I drop this handkerchief,” I cried, “you will be 
pushed from the rock. I give you five minutes in which to 
repent.” 

“ You don’t mean it,” the wretched man exclaimed ; 
“ you is only jokin’ vid me. Let me off this time, and I 
Ton’t do so no more. I von’t, on honor ; PU live like a decent 
•ove ; you see if I don’t.” 

“ Your time is nearly up,” I remarked. 

“0, no, it ain’t; yer don’t dare to do so. Vere is yer 
varrant for aU this ’ere ? Let me go ; I vant more time ; I 
has lots of sins to confess ; you don’t know one half of ’em.” 

“ We know enough,” growled Hackett. “ In Illinise we’d 
hung you long afore this. We values young women i» 


Air INTBEBUPTION. 


S15 

that state, we does, and we don’t aUow nobody but their 
husbands to talk sass to ’em.” 

“ This ain’t none of your business.” 

I looked at my watch and saw that the five minutes had 
passed. There was no mercy in keeping the man longer in 
suspense ; so I shut my eyes, and dropped the handkerchief. 
I heard a brief struggle, a rush, a fall, and then I was 
knocked down in a very energetic manner ; and as I fell I 
heard the report of Hackett’s rifle, heard the yell of the 
Illinois gentleman, the screams of the natives, the vigor- 
ous exclamations of Hez, and then aU was a blank ; for I 
seemed to sink into a painful slumber, from which I did not 
awaken for some time ; and when I did open my eyes it 
was after a painful efibrt; and then I found that there 
was a ringing in my head and ears, and on putting up my 
hand I discovered that there was blood on my face, and 
that Rover was licking it off, and uttering a mournful whine 
at my condition. 

“ What the deuce is it all about?” I asked myself, after 
trying to collect my thoughts. « What has happened to 
me ? I am injured, and yet cannot tell how it was done. 
Let me think.” 

Soon I heard voices, strange voices, and then harsh oaths ; 
and on looking around, as well as I was able, without rais- 
ing my head, I saw some half dozen rough-dressed men 
sitting on the rock from which Moloch was to take his leap, 
eating the few provisions which we had saved, and drinking 
the last drop of brandy which I had in my flask, and which 
the inhuman wretches had robbed me of while I was lying 
insensible. The natives had disappeared. Hopeful and 
Hackett I could not see or hear, and I feared that they had 
met with speedy deaths at the hands of the bushrangers 
during the meUe. I lay quite still, and listened to the con- 
versation that was going on; and by this means I was en- 
lightened on some points. 

“ Old pal,” said one of the ruflians, addressing Moloch, 

“ you had yer neck stretched a little that time. If we’d 
been a few minutes later, old Satan would have had you on 


S16 


THE BUSHBANGEBS. 


his cods long afore this time. Yer old friends stood yer ia 
good need this once, and ye must recollect ’em the next 
time they comes round the station. If they wants a few 
bones, give*’em, and don’t be mean about it.” 

“ You von’t see me near the station agin,” answered Mo- 
loch, speaking with an effort and a terrible twist of his face, 
as though the words hurt him. 

“ Come, old pal,” cried the rough-voiced villain, “ tell us 
how it happened that you is here hangin* by the neck, when 
you should be at the station.” 

“ I left Smith’s — ” was the answer. 

“ With the lass ? I know you did. Ah, you rogue, she’s 
here somewhere, unless you’ve put her out of the way. Now 
where’s the gal ? ” 

“ Yes, show us the lass,” was the cry of these ferocious 
men. 

Moloch knew that it was impossible to conceal Amelia. 
Do the best that he could, her presence would be known, 
and if he lied about the matter, the worse for him ; while, if 
he told the truth, would not those desperate men claim the 
prize and keep her, paying no attention to his fancied rights ? 
Here were questions which the ruffian asked himself. The 
bushrangers noted his sullen looks, and the voice, that sounded 
familiar, remarked, — 

“ I say, old feller, you don’t appear to be satisfied with us. 
We’ve saved your life, yet you don’t seem kinder grateful. 
What is the matter ? ” 

Moloch replied, with an oath, that he was a “ dummy cove,” 
and he was “ ever so much agag,” which meant in plain Eng- 
lish, that he was indeed grateful, and would like to show his 
giatitude. 

“ Then tell us where the lass is ; come, my fine ccvey, she 
is near us ; now show us the place.” 

Moloch did not dare to resist the pressure, much as he 
would have desired to. The bushrangers were too powerful 
for him. As he led the way, the ruffians were compelled to 
pass within four yards of me. Through my half-closed eyea 
I could see them, six rough, ugly brutes. As they ap- 


THE TABLES TUB5ED, 


817 


proached me, KoTer prepared for hostile demonstration ; but 
1 soothed him with a word. The hound understood me, for 
I had trained him to obey my glance ; and no matter how 
sJiTage he might feel, ho knew that I would direct him right. 
I was well aware that the bushrangers would shoot the ani- 
mal if he even growled at them ; and as I did not wish to 
lose the dog, I thought that it was best to compel him to re- 
main quiet, and manifest no sign of hostility. As the 
bushrangers passed me, they laughed ; and one of them re- 
marked, — 

“ The pistol ball was too much for that cove. He don’t 
seem to move readily. Even the dog can’t bring him to 
life.” 

“ ’Im is the best dorg in the country,” muttered Moloch. 
“ They wouldn’t have found I, if it hadn’t have been for the 
dorg.” 

‘‘ I thought you said the dog was savage,” one of the men 
remarked. 

Weel, ’im is ; if you don’t believe I, jest you go near 
’’m ; ” and Moloch chuckled at the thought of the reception 
he would receive. 

If he be so good, we’d better not kill him ; he may be 
of use to us some day.” 

The men passed on, too impatient to see the girl to pay 
much attention to me or the dog. I listened to the sound 
of their voices as they swore and laughed, and often raised 
my head and looked around as well as I was able, though 
I seemed rather dizzy at first, and felt a little faint : these 
weaknesses soon passed away, and I was able to notice 
Hopeful and Hackctt, both bound hand and foot, and lying 
on their backs near the rock from which Moloch was to take 
his leap. The natives were not to be seen. They had dis- 
appeared at the first sound of strife. I called the names of 
my two friends, and they answered me. 

“We is in a tight box this time,” Hackett said ; “ but I 
lave known sicker children than we is to live ! The brutes 
may kill us, but we will die game at any rate.” 

As for Hopeful, he was too much cast down to talk. Sad- 


818 


THE BUSHRANQEKS. 


^enly a loud shout reached my ears, and then I heard ourcei 
mingled with blows. I listened, and found that the bush- 
rangers had fallen upon Moloch, and were heating him in 
their usual savage fashion, simply because Amelia had left 
the place where I had told her to remain, and disap- 
peared. In a few words I communicated the state of affairs 
to Hopeful and Hackett, and they were as pleased as myself 
at her escape, although they knew she would suffer and die 
on the plains or in the gulches. Suddenly Rover put his 
face to mine, and manifested his sympathy by a howl. I 
patted the dog on his head, and thought what a pity it was 
that he should die, when he could easily make his escape, 
and could not be of the slightest use to me. 

“ Good dog,” I said, “ go home and tell Smith that unless 
we have help here within an hour we are lost, and Amelia 
with us. Do you understand ? ” He uttered a low whine. 

On your way,” I continued, talking to the animal just 
as though he were a human being, “ if you should see Mur- 
den and his police, teU them to come to our rescue.” 

I never saw a dog look so intelligent as Rover did while I 
was speaking. He listened with the most respectful atten- 
tion, as though to carefully weigh each word and treasure 
it in his memory. When I ceased talking he waited for a 
moment to see if I had any more commands ; and when he 
found that I had not, he gave my face a lick, uttered a 
mournful whine, trotted towards the woods, looked back for 
a moment, saw me wave my hand in token of a long farewell, 
and then, with a howl expressive of pain and sorrow, disap- 
peared in the woods. 

“ Wake up here ! ” shouted one ruffian ; and as he spoke, he 
kicked me with all his might, and hurt me most outrageously. 

** Blast your eyes ! ” I said, as I looked up, knowing that 
timidity was of no account, “ don’t you do that again.” 

The ruffians laughed in a jovial manner at the words, and one 
af them said that it was a shame to hurt such a game chicken. 

“ He’d make a good bushranger,” one of them remarked. 
“ K he’ll jine us we’ll save his life.” 

Say, cove, will yer go with us ? ” one or two of them asked. 


A TABUSAtJ. 


Sit 

Don’t yer take him,” yelled Moloch, struggling to the 
front, so that he could command immediate attention. “ He’s 
% cove vot is down on bushrangers, and is in vith the traps.” 

“ How do you know it ? ” asked the voice that had sounded 
so familiar to me. 

“ ’Cos I’se seen ’em as thick as two thieves at Smith’s. 
They treated him jist as though he vos von of ’em.” 

“ Let me see the man’s face,” the familiar-voiced bush- 
ranger said, and came towards me. 

I knew the man at once, in spite of his rough appearance, 
so entirely different from what it was when I met him at 
Melbourne, in the saloon of the Red Lion, when he was 
concocting with his pal how they should leave the country 
with the diamonds which they had stolen from the lady of 
the governor-general. In fact, before me stood Patrick 
Poland. The fellow looked at me rather hard before he de- 
cided that he recognized me. The blood on my face rather 
disguised my appearance ; but after a while Mr. Poland began 
to assume a ferocious look, as though he was growing mad 
very fast, and then he said, — 

“ Blast him ! I know him. It’s the cove what diddled me 
out of the diamonds. This is a happy meeting, sir.” 

I made no reply, because I knew that I could say nothing 
that would please him or appease his anger. As soon as 
Poland had stated that he knew me, the bushrangers uttered 
a shout of wrath, aU of which was directed towards me. 
They had a trap in their midst, and he must die. 

Suddenly my friend Moloch, the amiable creature, shouted 
out, “ Hang him ! jist as he vas goin’ to do vid me ! ” 

“ That’s it ! ” was the exclamation, as if they all compre- 
hended it. “ Where’s the rope ? Drag him to the jumping- 
•ff place. String him up.” 

“ Don’t you do it, you darned thieves ! ” roared Hackett, 
as the bushrangers dragged me past. 

“ Let him up ! ” shouted Hopeful ; but he might as well 
have talked to the winds ; the rascals paid no attention to 
either of my friends. A rope was put around my neck and 
1 was pushed off the rock. 


S20 


V I 


THE BUSHRANGXB8. 


CHAPTER XLVm. 

AW UNEXPECTED TUMBLE. THE RESCUE. — A PBIVATI 

C0NYER8ATI0N. 

According to all calculations, made by romancers and 
men of a scientific turn of mind, I should have broken my 
neck, and then died quite easy, after the bushrangers pushed 
me from the rock with a rope around my neck ; but, for- 
tunately for me, as it afterwards happened, the rascals had 
neglected to fasten one end of the rope. Not the one that 
was around my neck — that was all right, and rather tight — 
but the end that belonged to the limb of the tree was not 
secured, and by this little mistake I tumbled to the ground 
entirely uninjured. 

“ The trap has more lives than a cat,” remarked Poland, 
who was inclined to laugh at the exhibition which I made, as 
I landed on the sand and gravel. 

“ If he has fifty lives they shall all be tried,” one of the 
scamps remarked. “Up with him, and then down with 
him.” 

One of the robbers came towards me and jerked me to 
my feet. 

“ You was born to be hung,” he said. “ I see it in your 
face. You has got thief stamped all over it, like the small- 
pox. 

“ Hang me in welcome,” I replied, “ but don’t say that 
my face has any of the peculiar characteristics of you gen- 
tlemen of the bush and chain-gang.” 

The fellow did not know what I meant, for he had neve? 
heard such language. He stared at me for a moment before 
he muttered, — 

“ What kind of chaff is you throwing at a cove ? ” 

Before I had time to reply, some of the impatient ones 
had jerked me to the top of the rock ; and one of the most 
active climbed the tree and recovered the end of the rope. 


AN UNEXr£CTJLD TUMBLE. 


321 


“ Now, tten, pray, trap, pray ! ** yelled the crowd, mani- 
festing the most intense delight at my position. 

“Do you wish me to pray aloud I asked, anxious to 
gain time. 

“ Yes, yes, spit it out ; ” and the wretches laughed at the 
noyel sensation which they were likely to experience. 

I don’t know how long I continued praying ; but I do know 
that I exhorted for such a length of time that my audience 
grew tired, and more than once intimated that I had better 
shut up, and be hanged in peace and quietness. But I would 
not be advised ; so at last one of the brutes sprang upon the 
rock, and advanced towards me, for the purpose of throwing 
me off ; but as they had neglected to secure my hands, I de- 
termined to give the rascal a warm reception ; so, when he 
got near enough, I raised my arm, and struck him just be- 
tween his eyes. He fell off the rock as though he had been 
shot, and rolled at the feet of his companions. I saw Doland 
draw a pistol from his belt, and then I suspected that death 
was near. I closed my eyes, expecting to hear the report 
of his weapon every moment ; but other sounds caught my 
ear, and for a moment hope revived within my breast. I 
opened my eyes, and looked at the bushrangers. They were 
listening, as much astonished as myself, and unable to com- 
prehend the movement. What could it mean ? I thought 
that I could save myself by a bold stroke. I threw from my 
neck the rope, and shouted, “ The police are upon you. The 
traps are here.” Doland raised his pistol, and fired at me. 
I noted his aim, and threw myself from the rock just as he 
drew the trigger. The ball passed near my head, but left 
me uninjured. 

“ Kill the spy ! ” they shouted. “ Don’t let him escape I ” 

I shouted in return. In fact I yelled like a fiend. “ Come 
on !” I cried, speaking as though I was addressing a party of 
burly police officers. “ Here they are. Down with them.” 

To my surprise, I was answered with a cheer and a loud 
howl that spoke of joy and rage. I turned, and looked down 
the gorge, and saw half a dozen police officers, mounted on 
horseback, spurring towards me as fast as the nature of the 


522 


THK BUSHEANGEBS. 


ground would admit ; and just in advance of them was Rover. 
The bushrangers, who were on the other side of the rock, 
heard the cries, and saw the advancing force. They knew 
their fate if they remained ; for they could not hope to op- 
pose in a successful manner the well-disciplined officers. 

“ Take away ! ” yelled the leader of the gang. That meant 
•uatter as soon as possible. 

But a new obstacle was suddenly presented to the notice 
of the bushrangers. It seems that while the robbers were 
making preparations to hang me, and while I was praying 
for their welfare and my own safety, Hopeful, a worldly- 
minded youth, and at all times ungodly, not caring to listen 
to my exhortation, set his mind to work devising ways for 
freeing his limbs from the bonds that confined them. In 
this he was successful, as by some squeezing and a little 
work he got one hand loose, and then the other ; and no one 
looked at him, or watched his motions, still intent upon my 
execution. He crawled towards Hackett, cut the ropes 
which secured his arms and legs, and then made for the spot 
where the robbers had stacked the weapons. 

Hopeful picked from the heap, sheltered in his operations 
by a ridge of sand, Hackett’s rifie and revolver, his own 
pistol, and the one belonging to me, and then emptied the 
pans of the muskets, pulled out the flints, and crawled out, 
just as I knocked over the fellow who was anxious to see 
me hung before I was quite ready for the operation. Hope- 
ful and Hackett were about to pull trigger, and try their 
luck at saving me, when I tumbled the bushranger from the 
rock. Then they thought they would wait for a few minutes, 
and see what would turn up. As soon as the police appeared 
in sight, the bushrangers turned to run ; but, as I said before, 
they were opposed by an obstacle that they did not count on. 
Behind some trees that stood near the mountain trail were 
posted Hez and Hackett ; so, as the bushrangers dashed that 
way, they were met with the sharp cry of, — 

“ Stop, blast yer eyes, or yer dead men I ” 

The bushrangers stopped, astonished at the sight of twe 
resolute men armed with revolvers. 



“Surrender!” roared Hackett, “or we’ll blow yer to thunder.” — Page 323. 










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THE RESCUE. 


32a 


“ Surrender ! ” roared Hackett, “ or we’U blow yer to 
thunder.” 

The bushrangers glanced over their shoulders. The police 
had dismounted, and were advancing as skirmishers. The 
robbers saw the danger that threatened, turned suddenly, 
and dashed to the other side of the gorge, meaning to escape 
up the mountain by the aid of brush, long grass, and tree 
trunks. But they did not carry out their plans ; for at this 
moment the police emptied their carbines, while Hackett and 
Hez fired at the same time, and then volley after volley was 
poured in until every man had fallen, killed or wounded. 
Not one escaped to carry the news of the disaster to the 
gangs of bushrangers who still infested the mountain. 

“ Hurrah for our side I ” roared Hackett, making an effort 
to stand ; but the swollen condition of his leg prevented him 
from using his feet. 

The police responded to the shout, and then reloaded their 
carbines and pistols as calmly as if they had been firing at a 
mark. 

“Well, old boy, I was just in time,” the commissioner 
cried, as we shook hands. “ A few moments more and the 
rascals would have laid you out. Thank fortune I arrived 
just as I did.” 

“ You can’t be any more thankful than myself. But tell 
me how you happened to arrive at such an opportune mo- 
ment.” 

“ In one minute. Let me tell the men to look after the 
wounded, and see if they can be assisted. We must be 
humane, you know.” 

But the police did not need such orders. They were 
already examining wounds, and binding up such as required 
immediate assistance if life was to be saved. Moloch was 
dead, shot in the back with three balls ; for it seemed that 
Hackett and Hopeful aimed at his person, determined that 
he should not escape, at any rate. Poland was wounded, a 
ball having crushed the bone of his right arm, so 'that ampu- 
tation was necessary if his life was to be spared. 

“ I can tell you in a few words how I happened here,” fchi 
22 . 


824 


THB BUSHBAITGEBS. 


commissioner continued, on his return, after he had examined 
the wounded. “ You know you left Smith’s withoat waiting 
for me or my men, which I don’t think much of. It was an 
act of imprudence that should have cost you dear, and &?. 
soon as I heard that you had started I felt uneasy; but 
thinking that you would return by morning, I secured my 
prisoners, and told the men to take that rest which they 
needed so much. In the morning you did not make your 
appearance. I grew impatient, and determined to seek you. 
I divided my squad, sent Maurice to the city with six men 
and the prisoners, and then took the best tracker that Smith 
had at the station, and followed your trail. We met Rover, 
and you never saw a dog so delighted as he was. He almost 
talked ; for I understood him suiEciently to know that you 
were alive, and that you had sent him to find assistance. He 
led us here, and you know the rest.” 

“ Now let one of your men look after Hackett,” I said ; 
“ you will find him a trump ; ” and I led the commissioner 
forward and introduced him ; and then an officer was set at 
work rubbing the western man’s leg. 

I whispered to Mur den that I was going in search of 
Amelia, and asked him to keep his men occupied until my 
return ; then, calling Rover, I started for the place where I 
had last left the girl. I had no difficulty in finding it, or in 
putting the hound on the trail. I hurried on as fast as pos- 
sible, and at last found the object of my search lying upon 
the ground, and nearly insensible. I knelt beside her, and 
called her by name ; but at first she only shuddered, and 
seemed to think that Moloch was addressing her. 

“ Spare me, Moloch,” she moaned, “ and I will forgive you. 
Let me return home. My head aches so badly, and I feel 
coll and tired.” 

I took her fair head in my lap, and bathed her face and 
forehead with brandy, and forced a few drops between her 
lips. The liquor seemed to benefit her ; for she ceased to 
moan and sob, and at last opened her large blue eyes, and 
fixed them on me with a terrified glare that soon gave place 
a look of pleasure. She started up, and eWped my 


A PBIVATE CONVERSATION. 


325 


hands, and commenced kissing them, although they were not 
in a kissable state, for they had not seen soap and water 
«?ince we left her brother’s house. For a moment I feared 
that her mind was unsettled ; but she soon convinced me that 
such was not the case, for she whispered, — - 

“ You have escaped them. Are you safe ? Are we both 
safe from pursuit ? If we are not, I can walk ; ” and she 
showed me her poor wounded feet, with the blood soaked 
through her stockings, or the remnants of stockings, and only 
the uppers of her boots left. 

“We are both safe, Amelia,” I remarked, in a quiet tone. 

“ Are you sure ? You will not deceive me ? ” 

“ Thank Heaven, there is no occasion for deception. 
There is a squad of police in the gulch. They came just in 
time to save us.” 

“ And that fiend?” she asked, with a fierceness that was 
unnatural. 

“ He has paid the penalty of his crimes.” 

“ Is he dead, and in her joy she would have started to 
her feet ; but I kept my arms around her, and prevented her 
from doing so. 

“ He is dead.” 

“Thank Godl” 

She laid her head on my bosom like a tired child, anxious 
for rest. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be en- 
gaged in deep thought. I did not disturb her meditations, 
for I could imagine what they were. At last she opened her 
eyes. 

“ Take me home,” she cried. “ My head aches, and I 
need rest.” 

I had just raised her in my arms, when my friend burst 
through the bushes and joined us. 

“ This ain’t jist the thing ! ” he exclaimed. “ She don’t 
belong to you. Give her to me ; TU carry her down the 
mountain.” 

Even before I had time to remonstrate, he put out his 
hands and took her from me, and then turned and dashed 
down the mountain like a madman. When I reached the 


826 


THE BUBHEA27GE&S. 


gorge, I found that the police were burying, as well a; they 
could, the bodies of the dead bushrangers. Poland wag 
alive, and so were two other members of the fraternity, but 
so badly injured that it was hardly possible for them to re- 
cover. As for taking them on horseback, it was not to be 
thought of ; they would not have lived an hour. The com- 
missioner, as soon as I was at leisure, asked my advice o^ 
the subject, and I gave it promptly, as usual. 

“We must press the natives into our service,” I said. 
“We must build litters, and compel them to carry our 
wounded. Some of your men must walk, and see that the 
blacks do not desert, while we ride to the station and send 
out ox-teams. Hackett can ride, and so can Amelia — both 
of them need immediate attention and rest.” 

Murden liked my plan so well that he instantly resolved to 
carry it into effect. 


CHAPTER XLIX. 

A TIEESOME BIDE. ABBIYAL AT THE STATION. — DEPABT- 

TJBE FOB MELBOITBNE. 

When we left the gulch, Murden gave the officers, whom 
he left in charge of the natives and the litters, a few direc- 
tions about the route, and the place where they might expect 
to meet the ox-teams, sent from the stations, and then he 
joined me at the head of the cavalcade, and we plunged into 
the desert. For an hour or two we toiled on, too much oc- 
cupied with our thoughts to exchange words ; but at length 
the darkness made us more companionable, and I asked the 
commissioner a few questions which I had longed to be en- 
lightened upon. 

“ I hope that Smith is taking care of the gold I left with 
him,” I said, as a feeler for conversation. 

“ 0, of course, I saw him stow it away in his cellar. That 
is all right, I’ll warrant you. Smith is not the man to neglect 
such trusts.” 


A TIBESOHB BIDE. 


S27 


“ Did you leave Sir William Byefield at the station ? ” I 
isked. 

“ No ; he left the morning that I did, bound for Mel- 
bourne.’* 

“What became of Jenny, the young lady whom we met 
iu Mud Lane severtd times ? ” 

“Ah! now your conversation is getting interesting, to 
you at least, if not to me. You mean the girl with the blue 
eyes ? ” 

“ Yes ; you know whom I mean.” 

“Well, the young lady started for Melbourne when I sent 
my prisoners to the city, under the charge of Lieutenant 
Maurice. She would go, in spite of Smith’s protestations 
and my entreaties. The fact of it is, Maurice is a mighty 
good-looking fellow, and just the sort of a man to suit a 
girl like Jenny.” 

“ If you talk any more such nonsense. I’ll desert your 
company,” I replied ; “ you know I don’t like it.” 

“ To be sure I do ; but the quicker you are ridiculed out 
of your passion for that girl, the better it will be for your 
peace of mind and happiness.” 

I did not answer him, for just at that moment I heard 
Amelia calling me ; sol turned to see what she wanted. Hez 
had rode by her horse’s head ever since we left the gulch. 
As I drew up by her side, much to Hopeful’s disgust, she 
njTPT and whispered,— 

. 1 fatigue, and can hardly keep from 
)o remain near me and support me, 
: . ; , • own accord.” 

; ‘ — for I had recovered ft from the 

. after their defeat, — and found that 
. I that we were some ten miles from 

the mountain, having made fair progress in spite of the con- 
dition of the roads and the fatigue of our horses. I saw 
that the animals could hardly wade through the sand without 
rest, and it was singular how quick I made the discovery 
after I found that Amelia was almost exhausted. I roda 
forward and spoke to Murden. 


l2 


828 


THU BUSHRAHGBBS. 


“ We must halt until daylight,” I said. “ The horses are 
ready to drop from exhaustion.” 

“ Let ’em drop,” was the answer. “ We can find others.” 

“ Not in this desert. Besides, think for a moment; Miss 
Amelia is nearly dead for the want of rest.” 

“ Why didn’t you say so in the first ^lace ? Of course 
we’ll halt and rest ; ” and in a few minutes we were on the 
sands, while I speedily prepared a bed for the girl, and 
spread over her and under her blankets which we found 
strapped to the saddles. 

“You’re very kind,” Amelia murmured, as she closed her 
eyes. “ I shall never forget such kindness — never.” 

Hopeful took up his position near^ her head, but did not 
speak. I left him, and went in search of the commissioner, 
who was smoking his pipe, and suggested that he should in- 
duce Hez to take the freshest horse, and push on for the 
station, and obtain relief, which we should need the next 
day. Murden approved of the idea, and at length induced 
Hopeful to undertake the mission, although he wanted to 
know why I couldn’t go as weU as he ; but the commissioner 
hinted at attacks, and how much I was needed to resist them, 
eo that on tho whole my comrade took his dep^ure in pretty 
good spirits. 

We wished him success, and olf he went, to my great re- 
lief. We were up at daylight; but while we felt refresAed, 
the animals did not, for they had eaten nothing but the tops 
of the bushes, and attempted to quench their thirst with the 
dew that settled upon the same — rather scant diet for horses 
accustomed to better fare. We turned from the trail, which 
was over a country composed of sand, bush, and dried grass, 
and went in search of water, which we had been informed 
could be found near at hand. 

At last we caught sight of ^a stream, not more than a yard 
wide, and a few inches deep, a tributary to the Great Mur- 
ray in the wet season, but lost in the sand long before it 
reached that river during the dry months. Our animals 
were too impatient to slake their thirst to be restrained aftei 
they caught sight of the stream. They plunged down the 


AKBITAL AT THE STATION. 


821 


Band lulls, and did not stop until they were standing in the 
hot, shallow water. "We dismounted so as to allow the poor 
brutes a chance to drink. I assisted Amelia to alight, and 
then helped Hackett to the ground, for his leg wan so much 
swollen that he could not use it or move it without excessive 
pain. I made the lady as comfortable as possible, screening 
her head with a brush tent ; and was thanked for the same 
in so sweet a manner that I almost forgot the dear child’s 
misfortunes. At one o’clock we were up and off, shap- 
ing our course for the bridge of salt, where I thought we 
could cross without much trouble from the alligators, and 
save time and many miles of travel. All turned out as I 
anticipated, to my joy and Murden’s disgust. We saw evi- 
dences of the struggle that had taken place when Hez and 
I had crossed, some few nights before ; but all traces of the 
horse, which the alligators had knocked into the mud, were 
lost. We had but a few miles to go to reach Smith’s station ; 
and, by urging our animals, we were enabled to arrive at the 
farm in the course of the afternoon. Smith was in the yard, 
in front of his house, when we galloped up. The poor man, 
who had been almost dead with anxiety during our absence, 
neither able to work nor rest, rushed towards us with out- 
stretched arms, ready to give us the warmest welcome that 
it was possible to bestow. 

“ You have brought her back ! ” the stockman cried. “ 0, 
how glad I am she’s here ! How shall I thank you for this ? 
Here, Mary ! ” and he ran towards the house to tell his wife 
the good news, shouting all the way; but just before he 
reached the door he altered his mind, and came tearing 
towards us, too confused to utter a half dozen words in a 
grammatical manner. 

“ What did yer do with the rascally cove what Amelia ran 
away with ? No — I mean — well. I’m glad to see you all. 
Come to my arms, lass, and don't you do it agin. Wife has 
been sick about yer all the time yer was gone ; but I told 
her you’d be here when you come, and yer see Tm right.” 

The honest and enthusiastic fcUow did not wait for a word, 
or even note the girl’s appearance. He snatched her from 


ajju 


THUS BUBUKAWliJfiittJ. 


ker horse, and carried her in his arms to the house, and gave 
her up to his wife ; but when he rushed out again he did not 
know that he left the brave and heroic girl insensible. All 
her noble resolution and courage had failed when she found 
that she was once more at home and in her sister’s presence. 
Mrs. Smith, her eyes blinded with tears, laid the poor child 
upon a bed, and then came to the door in search of help. 

“ I am glad that you have come,” she said ; “ for I fear 
that Amelia is dying. What shall I do ? ” 

“ Call your servant girl, and let her assist you to undress 
the young lady. Before you do so, wash Amelia’s face and 
neck with cold water, and when she is able, let her take a 
little food. She is utterly worn out with fear, hunger, 
and fatigue, and her life or reason depends upon your 
management. She must be treated as tenderly as an 
infant.” 

“Thank God you were successful in rescuing her!” 
exclaimed Mrs. Smith, as she turned her agitated face 
upon me, with tears streaming from her eyes. “And 
that wretch, Moloch?” 

“He has paid the penalty of his crimes, and received 
his just desserts; let that suffice for the present. Just 
now the poor girl needs all jour care and attention.” 

“ I wiU be guided by your advice ; but it is a cruel blow 
to one so young and ambitious as she was. I did hope at 
one time that you and she would — But never mind now , 
that is all passed.” 

1 did not know what she meant ; neither did I stop to ask : 
fcr an explanation. There was no time to waste in words. ■>. 
I left the room, and hurried to find the servant, and when I 
found her, sent her to her mistress’s assistance. 

“ Where’s Amelia ? ” asked Smith. “ I must go and boo 
her. I suppose she’s dying to talk with me.” 

He started towards the door ; but I laid a hand upon his 
shoulder and detained him. 

“ You had better not see her for a few days,” I said. 

“ She needs rest after her escape.” 

“ Well, can’t she rest while she’s talking to me ? ” 

“ Not in this instance. After you have heard how mndi , 
■he baa aiffiFered. vou will think so*” i 


AKEIVAL AT THE STATION. 


3S1 


1 ^aw that Smith looked surprised and inquisitive ; so 1 
led him aside, and imparted to him as much information as 
I pleased respecting the results of our trip. In the mean 
time, Murden had retired to the house for the purpose of 
sending a despatch to Melbourne announcing his successes, 
and asking for a strong squad of officers to join him and 
take charge of the prisoners. I helped with his despatch, 
and put in the romantic touches when he felt a little at fault. 
The day after the police arrived, and took charge of the 
prisoners. Lieutenant Maurice came with them, and report* 
ed that the whole city was in an uproar of rejoicing at the 
brilliant successes which Murden had met with. The lieu- 
tenant brought several newspapers, which contained flaming 
accounts of the commissioner’s doings, furnished by an eye- 
witness, and about as reliable as some of the reports which 
found their way into the American papers during the late 
rebellion. As soon as Maurice had rested, I managed to ex- 
change a few words with him on a subject that interested me 

“ To tell you the truth,” the officer said, “Jenny returned 
to the Ked Lion as soon as she reached Melbourne, and 1 
have not seen her since. Deuced pretty girl, but rather airy 
for one who don’t know more than she does.” 

“ Where is her father, the Manchester Pet ? ” i continued. 
“ You recollect we left him in jail for that mTirderous assault 
on me in his crib at Melbourne.” 

“ 0, the Pet was held for a week by the beak ; but as no 
one appeared against him, after continuing the case for .hree 
or four times, he was discharged.” 

I was about to leave my friend when he continued ; — 

“ Sir William is in Melbourne. I saw him the morning I 
left coming from the direction of the Ked Lion. Look out, old 
fellow, or the baronet mU get the best of you. He is rich, and 
has a title, and women like titles. By the way. Sir William 
has something on hid mind. I wish I knew what it was.” 

I smiled at the honest frankness of the police officer, and 
had no doubt but that he would soon have found out if he 
had had a clew to work on. 

“I suppose you know that Mother Brown is in Meh 


SS2 


THE BUSHRANGEB8. 


bourne ? ” Maurice continued. “ I saw tbe old hag, drunk 
as a lord, in a station house ; and she asked me lo let her 
:^ut, on the ground of old acquaintance.” 

“And she is still in custody?” I asked. 

“ Yes, and will remain in prison for a month or two, or 
until she has worked out her fine. She’s a miserable old 
drunkard, ain’t she ?” 

That she knew something of importance about Jenny and 
Sir William Byefield, I had not the least doubt ; but she had 
managed thus far not to lisp a word of it to me, saying the 
time would come when I should know all. I was now quite 
anxious to reach Melbourne as soon as possible ; so I left 
Maurice, and hurried to find the commissioner. 

“ Let us leave this place at once,” I said. 

“You’ve changed your mind rather quick,” Murden re- 
marked, with an expression of surprise. 

“ Of course I have, and you shall know the reason why. 
Maurice has brought news that the city is in a ferment about 
your successes. To keep alive the excitement, you had bet- 
ter reach Melbourne before the prisoners, and then give your 
own version of the matter.” 

“ And the gold ? You know Smith has all of our plunder 
in the cellar.” 

“ Smith starts for the city in a few days to obtain his 
winter supplies. He can bring the money concealed in one 
of his ox teams.” 

“ And your friend Hackett — what will you do with him ? ” 

“ Let him remain here until his wounds and bruises are 
healed ; then I will find something for him to do. He is too 
valuable a man to part with.” 

Murden revolved the matter over in his mind, and then 
agreed to start at once for the city, leaving Maurice and his 
strong corps of police to bring in the prisoners next day. I 
entered the house, saw Mr. Smith for a moment, and found 
that Amelia was doing quite well, having slept for nearly 
twenty hours, with occasional wakings, and had ceased to 
sob during the latter intervals, although she did moan, whilf 
sleeping, in a wild and random mauRei. 


A EOW AT THE BED LIOU. 




Smith made some serious objections to my moving, but 
inthdrew them when he heard that we must go on important 
business, that would admit of no delay. We shook hands 
and started on our journey, and did not draw rein until we 
stopped at Webber’s. We roused the old Dutchman with 
some difficulty, made him give us a “ spider,” or some 
brandy and beer mixed, the best drink that he had, fed and 
watered our horses, and were off at full speed before the 
host had time to comprehend that we had arrived. We 
reached Melbourne at sundown. I changed my clothes, 
had a bath, and then stole from the commissioner’s house, 
while he and Hee were at table, and walked rapidly towards 
Mud Lane and the Bed Lion, for I longed to take one look 
at Jenny, and to know that she was well before I slept. 
I pulled my hat over my eyes, and walked down the lane in 
a careless manner, and at length stood before the open door 
of the saloon. I glanced in, and saw Jenny sitting at 
one of the tables, and opposite to her sat a man who ap- 
peared too respectable for such a place, and I wondered 
who he could be ; but the instant he raised his cap, I saw 
it was Sir William Byefield in disguise, and that the old 
wretch was quite attentive to the girl, while the Manches- 
ter Pet did not appear to regard them in the least, as she 
dispensed beer and “ spiders.’* 


CHAPTER L. ^ . 

A now AT THE BED LIOH. A BABONET IN DANGEB. — 

TO THE BE8CITE. THE PET KNOCKEl) OUT OP TIMS. 

I don’t know how long I remained standing at the door, 
looking at the couple ; but at last I was aroused from my 
reverie by some one driving his elbow into my ribs. I 
looked up and saw a rough, weather-beaten man-of-war’s- 
man, who was steering for the bar of the Red Lion, deter- 
mined to get rid of his money as soon as possible. I drew 


THB BUSHItAJ^^GESS. 


Sd4 

back from the door, so that the sailor could pass, and 
declined his invitation to drink. 

“ Well, my hearty, if you won t, some one else will. But 
you're a tough one not to drink when you’re axed. No of- 
fence, you know ; ” and in the tar rolled, and was greeted 
with a grunt of profound satisfaction by the Manchester Pet. 

“ Gin,” said the sailor ; and then turning to the crowd 
of loafers and customers who were congregated in the room, 
he invited all to drink at his expense — an offer that was 
not long in being accepted. 

The sailor swallowed his liquor, and then glanced around 
the saloon. His eyes fell upon Jenny’s fair face, and lin- 
gered there for a few minutes with much pleasure. Think- 
ing that he would like to kiss the girl, he rolled towards her, 
put one arm around her waist, before she knew what he 
meant, and then gave her a hug that must have made her 
ribs ache, and bent his head to kiss her red lips ; but instead 
of encountering anything so soft, he met the hard fist of Sir 
William, sent out straight from his shoulder. The blow fell 
upon the sailor’s face with much force. Jack released his 
hold of the girl and staggered back, but did not fall, as I 
thought he would. He rallied in an instant, and then made 
a rush for Sir William, two or three of the vagabonds going 
forward to assist him. Miss Jenny, like a well-disciplined 
girl, or one brought up in a porter-house, did not utter a 
shriek or yeU. She merely swept out of the room as quick 
as possible. I was at first inclined to bound forward and 
lend the baronet some assistance ; but jealousy kept me 
quiet. So I remained at the door, and looked on. But this 
indifference was speedily changed to admiration at the pluck 
of the baronet, and the coolness of the Manchester Pet. 
The former repelled the three or four men who came upon 
him* striking at his head and face, and the latter did not 
seem to care whether there was a fight or not. Presently 
the Pet said, “ Close the door,” and I knew what that meant. 
One of the bar-room loafers rushed forward for the pur- 
pose of closing it and obeying the orders of the Pet. Just 
as he laid his hand on the door 1 determined to act 


thh pet knocked out of time. 


855 


I sprang forward, seized the loafer by the coUar of his coat, 
and hurled him into the street, and with such force that he 
feU his whole-length. Then I put a silver whistle, which 1 
carried in my pocket, to my lips, and blew a shrill blast. 
For a moment I listened ; then away off, on the corner of a 
street, still near the purlieus of Mud Lane, came back an 
answer. Satisfied that the signal was noted, and that my 
retreat would be secured, I entered the Ked Lion. As I 
did so, the Manchester Pet caught a glimpse of me, and left 
his position behind the bar. “ The spy,’^ he said. In a low 
tone, but full of passion, that meant mischief. He came 
straight towards me, his huge fists doubled up, and ven- 
geance in his eyes. I glanced around the room, saw that 
no one was near me, so that I could not be taken at a 
disadvantage, took one step nearer a table stained with 
slops of beer, and then awaited the onslaught of the giant, 
whose strength I had felt once before. But this time I de- 
termined not to be caught in a trap, and if the worst should 
come, to use my revolver to some effect, and kill the brute. 

“O, you sneaking, cowardly spy!” the man cried 
when he came within striking distance of me ; and he aimed 
a blow at my head that would have crushed my skull, had it 
hit me. But it did not, for I avoided it by a quick motion 
of my body, and consequently the Pet swayed one side, and 
reeled like a drunken man. I had expected this, and made 
preparations for it ; and before the giant could recover his 
upright position and self-defence, I seized a heavy pewter 
pot that stood on the table near my right hand, and with all 
the strength that I could muster, struck the brute full upon 
the nose, just between the eyes. I saw the blood spirt out of 
the wound, and then the Pet reeled, and fell with a crash that 
jarred the room, and made the bottles on the bar shake as if 
with fear. For a moment I stopped to look at the fallen brute, 
and the next I ruv^hed towards the crowd that were pressing 
on Sir \\illiam, whom I found down, and receiving much 
punishment, without a cry for help or a murmur. 

“ Let the man alone, you scoundrels,” I roared. 

At this stage of the proceedings, the sailor, and the Ipafej 


S36 


THE BUSHKANGEES. 


who was assisting him in pommelling Sir William, turned 
and made a furious assault on me. I disdained to use the 
beer pot against them ; so I threw it at the Pet’s head, for 
the giant was beginning to show signs of life. It hit him, 
and down went his eranium with a crash. 

“ Board the land pirate,” roared the sailor ; and at me he 
came, his companion a little in the rear. 

I dodged the first onslaught, but did not have time to do 
more, for I suddenly found a stout hand upon my colar ; 
and turning I saw that I was in the hands of half a dozen 
police officers, while at the same moment the sailor and 
loafer were secured. 

“ Put the darbies on ’em,” said the sergeant of police. 

They has had a precious fight, and must pay for it.” 

The officer attempted to slip a pair of handcuffs on my 
wrists, but I resisted. 

“ 0, it’s no sort of use ; you must wear ’em,” he said. 

“ Let me alone, and look to the gentleman who is on the 
floor. I fear that the ruffians have injured him.” 

I spoke in so authoritative a tone, that the man was con- 
founded, and turning to the sergeant, remarked, “Here’s a 
queer sort of a cove. I wish you’d see what you can make 
of him. He talks like a big wig.” 

The sergeant came bustling towards me, full of impor- 
tance, and all ready to condemn the officer for his want of zeal. 

“ Who are you, sir ? ” he asked. “ A student on a lark ? ” 

“No.” 

“ Does any of you know the cove ?” asked the sergeant, 
pointing to me. 

Not one of the officers knew me. 

“ We must take you to the station house. Put the irons 
on ’em, lads ; ” and the commanding officer lighted a cigar. 

“ One moment,” I said. “ I do not desire to go to the 
station house, and I also wish to keep my friend out of it.” 

The police consulted together for a moment, but I saw 
that they were like to act against me unless I was prompt. I 
did not wish to send for Murden if it was possible to avoid 
it, for I did not desire to have the laugh against me, and 1 


THE BELSASE. 




knew that he would quiz me most unmercifully if he was 
aware of my visit to the Ked Lion. This I meant to avoid ; 
so when the sergeant had followed me to the other end of 
the room, I said to him, in a confidential manner, — 

“ Sergeant, you must get me out of this, you know. Take 
the rest of your prisoners to the station house ; but the gentle- 
man whom I saved from a bad beating must go with me.*^ 

“ Why, you know .that it ain’t exactly regular to take hush- 
money,” the sergeant said, with a wishful look. 

“ I am aware of it. I don’t intend to injure your feelings 
by offering money.” 

The fellow’s mouth began to open, and a frown gathered 
on his brow ; but I chased it away in an instant, by pro- 
ducing the small silver whistle which I carried in my pocket. 
It was an emblem of authority, used only by those of high 
rank in the department. I continued : — 

“ I gave the signal which called you hither. I should not 
have done it if I had not thought the danger imminent.” 

“ Yes, but your name — what is it ? ” 

I mentioned it to him, or rather the name by which I was 
known in the department, and in many parts of Australia. 
The man was astonished. He raised his cap and saluted me 
in the most respectful manner. 

“ Am I at liberty to go ? ” I asked. 

“ Certainly, sir ; and your Mend also, or whoever you wish 
should go. You have but to say the word.” 

“ Thank you.” 

I crossed over, and put my arm within Sir William’s. 

“ Come,” I said, “ the path is clear at last.” 

The people assembled outside saluted us with a yell, for the;f 
thought we were prisoners ; but when they discovered their 
mistake, they wanted to injure us, and for that purpose 
threw mud and stones at us. They were indignant to think 
we were not dragged to the station, as some of them had 
been during their eventful lives. The police, who had mus- 
tered in large numbers, beat the rascals back, and enabled us 
to escape from Mud Lane, the only injury inflicted being 
spattered with dirt, and a torn coat. 


838 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


CHAPTER LI. 

TEN MINUTES IN JAIL. A BELLIGERENT CABMi^N. ^ — k 

EIGHT AND KNOCK-DOWN. 

As we walked along the well-lighted street, the baronet’i 
arm still within my own, I determined to press him and dis- 
cover the meaning of his visit to the Red Lion. 

We entered a hotel, the Nugget House, where the prices 
charged were fabulous, and where Sir William was quartered 
during his stay in the city. He led the way to his suit of 
rooms on the second floor, overlooking the street, rang the 
bell, ordered a bottle of wine, invited me to a seat, gave me 
cigars from which to take my choice, and then induced me 
to talk of the expedition in which I had been engaged, and 
kept me so well employed that it was late before I had con- 
cluded my yarn, and then I found that I had learned nothing 
concerning the baronet’s visit to the Red Lion. As I lighted 
a fresh cigar, and arose to go, I asked, with American blunt- 
ness, — 

“By the way. Sir William, how did it happen that I 
found you at the Red Lion, in such a disguise as you now 
wear ? ” 

“ 0, I suppose that I went because my feet took me 
there ; ” and the baronet laughed in such a genial manner 
that I could not feel offended. 

“ The answer is not so direct as my question,” I remarked. 

“ No, it is not.” And then the baronet looked at me, and 
I returned his gaze. 

“ The next time you are attacked at the Red Lion,” I re- 
marked, “ I shall not b6 near you to render assistance ; so I 
would avoid it, if I were you.” 

“ Perhaps I am as reckless of danger as yourself.” 

“ You should not be, for the fire of youth had ought to be 
quenched when Time has shaken a dredging-box over youi 


TEN MINUTES IN JAIL. 


839 


** I see that you are curious, and a little jealous, llcn’t 
deny it, for I have felt it all along. Acknowledge that when 
you saw mo talking with Jenny, you were at first inclined to 
let me suffer at the hands of those bar-room loafers ; yet 
while you entertained those hard thoughts, I was doing aP 
that I could to improve your standing in the girl’s estima- 
tion.” 

** And did you succeed ? ” 

I was so eager in asking the question, that the baronet 
smiled in a tantalizing manner. 

“ Well, perhaps I did. How can I tell ? Who can fathom 
a young girl’s heart ? It is too Jeep for man’s understand- 
ing. I will not tell you aU that transpired at our interview, 
but your interests did not suffer, and I think that you stand 
in a better light than ever.” 

I bowed , and smiled, and then the baronet looked more 
serious than I ever saw him look as he continued : “ Do not 
let what I have said induce you to take advantage of the 
girl’s position in society. I have an interest in her welfare, 
and shall watch over her personally, or else by agents.” 

“ And may I ask what that interest is ? ” 

“ Certainly, you can ask, but I am not yet prepared to 
answer. But you can rest assured on one point, and that is, 
that I have not been making love to the girl, and that I have 
no such intention.” 

I took up my hat, and made signs of departing. 

“If you must go, let us shake hands before we*part. 
Goc d night. I shall see you to-morrow, for I have business 
that will detain me in town for some days. I will call foi 
you in the afternoon, and I hope that you will dine with me.” 

I hesitated for a moment, and Sir William continued: 
“ Your friends, Mr. Hopeful and Mr. Commissioner Murden, 
ore included in the invitation. I should be delighted to see 
them.” 

“ I will deliver your invitation, and promise that it shall 
be accepted ; ” and with these words I left the baronet, and 
walked home, as much mystified as ever. 

Hopeful and Murden exchanged significant glances when 


840 


THK BUSHEANGEB8. 


I entered the house, but said not a word as to where 1 
had been. I simply informed them that I had seen Sir 
William, and that he had requested the pleasure of our com- 
pany at dinner the next day, at the hotel ; but I did not in- 
form my friends under what circumstances the invitation was 
issued, or relate the conversation that had taken place be- 
tween us. 

The next morning, as the sun was out hot and strong, I 
called a cab, and told the driver to carry me to the prison. 
The governor of the prison was a large man, bald-headed, 
red-nosed, as though beer and brandy were favorite drinks 
during his official career. 

“Well, sir, what is it ?” he asked, as soon as I appeared, 
as though already tired of my company. 

“ You have a woman, called Mother Brown, confined here 
on the charge of drunkenness ? 

The governor did not commit himself by a direct answer ; 
he merely said, “ Well ? ” 

“ If she is here, I desire to pay her fine and release her,” 
I continued. 

“ For what purpose do you want the woman ? ” the gov- 
ernor asked, after a few moments’ silence. 

“ Is it necessary that I should answer all your questions ? ” 
I demanded. 

“ It is, sir.” 

“Well, go on and ask, and soon have an ending, fori 
have Hwsiness elsewhere,” I replied. 

“ What kind of business ? ” 

The question was so blunt that I was entirely taken by 
siu’prise ; and before I had time to think, I replied, with 
some little arrogance, “ That is none of your affair, sir/’ 

The governor started back, horrified at the reply. At first 
he could hardly believe his ears, and he was compelled to 
polish his nose to collect his thoughts ; and when he had 
found them, he roared, — 

“ Out of this, you gallus-bird, afore I locks yer up.” 

I did not move or look frightened, although the governor 
expected me to. 


A BELLIGERENT CABMAN. 


341 


“ Out with him,” roared the governor, and pointed at me. 
“ Chuck him out,” he said. 

“ Wait one moment,” I cried, just as the men were about 
to rush on me. The ruffians paused, and looked at the gov- 
ernor, and the latter looked at me. . , , , 

“ What is it ? ” the red-faced official asked. 

“ I demand the right to leave this place unmolested. If 
I am assaulted, I shall defend myself in the best way that I 
can, and you must suffer the consequences.” 

“ Why, you impudent — ” 

I did not stop to hear the remainder of the sentence ; for 
I suddenly stepped backward, touched the spring of the door 
that led to the court, threw it open, and passed out in as 
dignified a manner as I could. I had proceeded but a few 
steps when I heard the door open, and the governor shout 
after me, — 

“ You scoundrel ! the next time you come here I’U lock 
you up.” 

“ We shall see,” I answered in a confident manner, and 
entered the cab that was waiting for me. 

“ Yes, we shall see ; ” and the governor slammed to the 
door. 

“ Where to, sir ? ” asked cabby. 

“ The city hall.” 

“ 0, you vants to go among the big vigs, do you? Veil, 
recollect I ain’t done nothin’ vot calls for a fine. Now, you 
knows it, don’t you ? ” 

“ Drive on,” I said ; “ I don’t want to talk so much. You 
bother me with your slang.” 

“Veil, if this ain’t high old times, then I’m blowedi” 
and muttering his disgust, he mounted his box, and lashed 
his steed into a run. 

As I left the cab at the hall, the driver looked particularly 
disgusted and puzzled at the same time. 

“ Look a-here,” he asked ; “ is you goin’ to complain of 
me. ’Cos if ye is. I’ll fight yer for the beer, and no favors 
axed on either side ; or I’ll fight yer for half a crown, money 
up. 


^42 


THE BUSHRANGEES 


All this display of ill-temp«r was on account of my refiis- 
ing to furnish him with drink-money. 

“ How much is your bill ? ” I asked. “ I will pay it, and 
let you go. You are too excitable for me.” 

“ Ten shillings,” was the answer. 

I knew that was just double the legal charge. 

“ Here are six shillings,” I answered. “ Take them or go 
without your pay.” 

He dashed the silver to the sidewalk, and called mo a 
thief and a swindler, and all that was vile and hateful ; and, 
as I turned away from him, he construed the action into 
cowardice ; so he sprang forward, and laid his hands upon 
my shoulders, thinking that he could give me a lift, and 
sprawl me on the sidewalk. I swerved a little, turning so 
quickly that his plans were frustrated. This brought me 
face to face with the fellow, and for the space of one second 
we glared at each other. Then I made a sudden blow, and 
down the rascal went. He struggled to his feet, roaring and 
swearing like a fiend. On he came, thinking that this time 
he would demolish me ; but he was never more mistaken, for 
I stepped one side, out of his course, and then planted a 
crushing blow just under his left ear. He went over with a 
rush. I don’t know how it would have fared with me at the 
hands of the cabmen who were in the vicinity ; for it is prob- 
able that they would have avenged their comrade’s injuries, 
had not Murden run down the steps of the city hall, and 
placed himself at my side. 

“ Yes, sir, that’s him ; that’s the cove vot done it,” said 
khe injured man, sitting up on the sidewalk, thinking I 
was under arrest. “ I’ll take my oath of him. He’s the 
cove.” 

“ I saw the whole of it, Barney,” the commissioner re- 
plied. “ You can’t blind me. You commenced the assault, 
and for it I take away your license.” 

**Oom8 in and see us,” said Murden, passing his arm 
through mine ; and up the steps we went. 


MOTHER BROWN’S CONFESSION 


84S 


CHAPTER Ln. 

MOIfl ER BROWN 8 PARDON. — HER CONFESSION. •— MT 
ASTONISHMENT. 

We entered a room where there were officials of high and 
low degree, who had congregated for the purpose of hearing 
the commissioner’s account of his doings during his absence. 
We were congratulated on our exploits, and asked innumer- 
able questions ; but at length I remembered Mother Brown, 
and the object of my visit to the city hall, and then I related 
the particulars of my interview with old Harry, the governor 
of the prison. * 

“ m tell you how to spite him,” said one of the upper 
secretaries to a cabinet officer. “We’ll have the woman 
pardoned out, and then old Harry will lose his regular fees. 
That will worry him in the most fearful manner.” 

All in the room shouted out their approval of the plan, 
and the secretary started off to find his chief and obtain a 
pardon. 

“ Old Harry,” a young man said, “ will tear his hair out 
when he reads the order. He won’t be able to relish his 
beer for a month. Ha, ha ! I’d like to see him when he 
fully comprehends the meaning of the discharge.” 

In the course of an hour the secretary returned, with the 
order in due form. It was handed to me ; and then two 
or three of the young men offered to accompany me to the 
jail ; but I declined their services, because I knew that I had 
much to say to Mother Brown, all of a confidential nature. 
In ten minutes I was at the gates of the prison, and the next 
moment I had entered the gloomy building. 

“ You ’ere agin ? ” asked one of the turnkeys, with a look 
of surprise. 

“ Yes, I am here again,” was my quiet answer. 

“ Vel, you d better not let the hold man see yer. No, 1 
ahonld think not.’* 


S44 


THE BUSHBANGSBS. 


As I did not manifest the least alarm, the turnkey looked ' 
np from the stone floor, which he had appeared to regard in 
the light of an enemy, and asked, “ Ain’t you goin’ to cut 
and run for it ? ” 

“ For what reason ? ” I demanded. 

“ 0, *cos if the hold man should see yer, he might pitch 
in, you know.” 

“ I’m not in the least alarmed. In fact I mean to wait 
here until I see him.” 

Just at this instant the door opened and the governor 
entered. He had been refreshing himself with beer ; but 
the extract of hops had not modified his temper in the least, 
for he uttered a roar and a growl when he saw me. 

“ Out with him ! ” shouted the enraged governor. “ Knock 
him down, somebody.” 

As “somebody” didn’t make his appearance to carry out 
the behest, I was enabled to call the governor’s attention to 
the paper which I held in my hand. 

“ It’s a begging petition,” the red-faced man said. “ It’s 
no use. It won’t change my opinion in the least.” 

“ If you will have the kindness to look at the paper,” I 
said, “ you will see that it contains the governor’s signature.” 

“ Hey ! what is that ? ” and the official snatched the paper 
from my hand, and glanced over it in a rapid manner. 

His red face paled at the signatures which met his eye. 
He could hardly believe his own senses ; and, as he read, he 
muttered, — 

“ A full — pardon — no — fees — no money — no chance 
to make — even expenses. It’s an infernal outrage!” 

“ I shall have to report such language to the governor,” I 
remarked, hardly able lo keep from laughing. 

“ I’m sure you’re too much of a gentleman to do that,” 
the man said, changing in an instant from the rude bar- 
barian to the grovelling snob, which I disliked as much as I 
did the tyrant. 

“ Will you release the woman ? ” 

‘ Of course I will. Here, Sam, make out Mother Brown’i 
4;*«harge.” 


liOTHER BROWN’S CONFESSION. 


841 


I did not care to encounter Mother Brown in the presence 
of the governor and his officers ; so I asked them to send her 
to the carriage. In ten minutes’ time Mother Brown wad- 
dled from the doors of the prison, stared around as though 
still laboring under the influence of liquor, appeared unde- 
cided which way to turn, and at last saw my face, and came 
towards me, grinning from ear to ear. 

“ Ah, it’s yer, is it ? ” she said. “ I might have knowed 
that no one but yer would do it.” 

Without waiting for an invitation, she entered the car- 
riage, and planted her substantial form on the seat opposite 
me, and then, taking one of my hands in both of her own, 
kissed it, in spite of my resistance. Suddenly she dropped 
my hand, and snuflfed the air, which was impregnated with 
the odor of tobacco. 

“ Ah,” she cried, “ that smells something like. You haven’t 
a pipe ? ” 

“No” 

“ Then a weed will do. I hope they is strong. Give me 
the blackest one you has.” 

I handed her a cigar that would have made a Dutchman 
sick in less than five minutes. She lighted it, and puffed 
away with perfect content for a while. 

“ That prison’s a mean hole,” she said at last. “ They 
won’t allow smokin’.” 

She puffed in silence for a moment; I saw that the 
turnkeys were grinning at us through the bars of the prison ; 
so I told the cabman to drive on at a slow pace. 

“ You sent word that you had something which you desired 
to communicate to me,” I remarked, as soon as she had be- 
come a little calm. 

“ Yes ; I want to talk to yer. I want to tell yer how 
wicked I has been, and what I has done.” 

“ And I don’t want to hear it. I am not a confessor.” 

“ Ah, what things you men is ! You can’t wait a moment, 
unless a pretty girl is in the case ; then yer smile and bow, 
and scrape and cringe, and kiss the ground on which sha 
walks. 0, yes.” 


146 


THE BUSHBANQER8. 


“ You old fool,” 1 said, losing all patience, “ you must 
recollect that you are neither young nor pretty ; so you can- 
not wonder if I show a little restlessness.” 

“ Ah, but I knows a lass what is young, plump, and 
pretty.” 

“ Well, what has that to do with me ? ” 

“ It depends upon yerself to say. I want yer to marry 
her. Ah, that word makes the blood mount to yer cheeks, 
and yer heart go pitapat.” 

I was silent, for I knew whom the old woman meant. 
Why did she want me to marry Jenny ? What interest had 
she in the business ? I could not comprehend her and her 
mysterious ways. I lighted a fresh cigar, and obedient to 
the woman’s motions, handed her one. She was rather fond 
of tobacco, I thought, judging from the manner in which she 
rolled the weed about her mouth ; but I pardoned the fact 
when I recollected that she had lived for so many years in 
the midst of reckless men. 

“ Now,” said Mother Brown, as soon as her cigar was 
fairly lighted, “ I suppose that yer want to know my great 
secret.” 

“ If you have one.” 

It was an unfortunate answer, for she commenced a tirade 
of abuse for my suspicions, but calmed down when she found 
that I did not take any notice of her words. As soon as she 
had run down, I said, “ Now for the secret. Mother Brown.” 

“ Yes, now for it. But fust tell me one thing — - do yer 
love the blue-eyed Jenny ? ” 

I stammered over the question. 

“ I mean, well enough to take her for a wife ; that’s what 
I mean.” 

“ Under some circumstances, I think that I should.” 

“Yer as proud as the king!” the old hag remarked, in a 
blunt tone. “ Yer men must have all the accomplishments 
as well as money, or yer turn up yer noses. Yer know it’s 
so, man that yer are. But answer the question, and look 
alive about it ; ’cos on yer answer depends the secret I’m 
about to tell yer.” 


MOTHER BROWN’S CONFESSION. 


S47 


“ Well, then, if Jenny was accomplished and intelligent* 
I should love her well enough to take her for a wife, even 
without a cent of money; as she is not, I shall have to 
think the matter over for some time before I act.” 

“ And in the mean time attempt to make her love you. 
BaL ! Yer can’t do it.” 

She chewed away at her cigar for some time, and seemed 
undecided what to say, but at last burst out with, “ I know 
yer love her ; so I’ll tell yer aU about it. Stop the carriage 
under the trees out there where there’s some shade, and I’ll 
begin.” 

I shall not give Mother Brown’s words in this chapter, be- 
cause she will have to repeat them in the presence of other 
people, and then I will introduce them. At length the old 
woman ceased, and then I had time to ask, — 

“ Is this true that you have told me ? ” 

“Do yer s’pose I’d tell yer a lie, when I knowed yer 
could prove it was a lie ? I has spoken the truth, and yer 
shall acknowledge it afore many days.” 

“ You must acknowledge it at once,” I cried. “ This very 
day you must prove to Sir WiUiam and me that you have 
uttered true words.” 

“ So soon ? ” The woman shuddered. 

“ Why do you hesitate ? ” 

“ I dread the anger of the Pet. He will kill me if he can 
lay his hands on me.” 

“ But wo will take care that he does nothing of the kind. 
V7e will look after him, and see that you are not hurt.” 

*' But what shall I say to Sir William ? ” The woman put 
her face to her hands, and I saw tears stealing down through 
her fingers. 

“ Tell your story just as you have told it to me. Tell him 
how you were tempted, and fell, and perhaps even he will 
forgive you, although I should not blame him if he did not.” 

“ I has wronged him, and I will do what I can to right 
him,” Mother Brown said at leng^^h. “ Just tell me what to 
do, and I’ll do it.” 

“ Then promise that you will not touch liquor until I offei 


THS BUSHBANGEBS. 


d4S 

it to you. When you appear before Sir Willim. you muBt 
be sober and truthful.’* 

She gave a reluctant promise, and then I recalled the 
driver, and told him to take me to Murden’s place, where I 
could keep the woman under lock and key until I wanted her. 

In a short time, Murden and Hopeful returned to the house 
to dress for dinner. Both of them were in good spirits, but 
to neither did I say one word about Mother Brown and her 
presence in the house. I thought I would surprise them 
when the proper moment arrived, and I think, all things 
considered, that I did. We made our toilets, dressing like 
gentlemen, not gold-diggers, with gloves, patent-leather 
boots, white shirts, and black coats (terrible uncomfortable 
things in Australia), and then rode to the Nugget House, 
where we were shown to Sir William’s room without delay, 
and welcomed by the baronet in the most hospitable manner. 
But as we passed into the room, there glided from it one of 
the most desperate characters known to the Mud-Laners, 
It was the “ Brazen Boy,” a ticket-of-leave man. 


CHAPTER LHI. 

THE BABONEt’b confession. — A COMPABINQ OP NOTES.— 
THE LOST CHILD. A TABLEAU. 

I SAW that Murden gave the ticket-of-leave man a sharp 
look as we entered Sir William’s apartment, at the Nugget 
House; but the Brazen Boy returned the glance without 
manifesting the least confusion or guilt. He seemed to say 
that he had a right in the room, and cared nothing for the 
police of Melbourne, even if the leading commissioner did 
scowl at him. As the Brazen Boy (named thus for his im- 
pudence by those appreciative people, the Mud-Laners) 
passed down the stairs, Murden said to Sir William, — 

“ Beg pardon, sir, but of course you haven’t lest any- 
thing, have you ? ” 


THK BRAZEN BOY. 


845 

J 0, no,” returned the baronet, with a plight expression 

annoyance. 

“Sure your gold watch is in your pocket?” persisted 
Murden. 

“ Quite sure, sir.” 

“ And no bank notes missing ? K they are gone, new is 
the time to let me know.” 

“ 0, no, nothing is lost ; I am positive.” 

Murden would have insisted upon running after the Brazen 
Boy, and searching him ; but I stopped him by an emphatic 
pinch, for I saw at a glance that Sir William had some secret 
connection with the ticket-of-leave man, and did not want it 
revealed even to the police commissioner, or his friend who 
had saved him the honor of a beating in the Bed Lion. 
Dinner was soon served up, and for an Australian hotel 
dinner, it was a fair one, although a Boston host would have 
cried for very shame, if such a jumble of food had been 
displayed on his tables. The liquor unloosened Murden’s 
tongue. He commenced talking as I feared he would, 

“ It is a peculiar thing. Sir William,” he said, “ to find a 
man like you, of wealth and influence, in such a helter- 
skelter country as this. There’s nothing to be seen here 
that’s worth seeing. No racing, no prize-fights, no boating, 
but little cricket, no nothing that rich men take to. In fact 
we are not celebrated for even possessing handsome women. 
There’s only one real beauty in all Melbourne, and she’s low, 
although I am fearftJ that Mr. Jack wiU feel angry with me 
for saying so.” 

I made no reply. 

Murden continued : “ Come, Mr. Jack, acknowledge that 
you like the girl — thaii you havejmn some risks to see her, 
and that you will do so again.” 

“ I have a high opinion of the young girl’s worth and 
fair face,” I remarked. “ Let that satisfy you. She has 
beauty enough to grace any station ; but she is certainly d<»- 
ficient in one thing — her education.” 

“Yes, she’s ignorant, that is true; but she could b« 


S50 


THB BUSHEANGER8. 


learned. Take her for a wife, and see how you could train 
her. Be quick about it, or you’ll lose her.” 

“ I will think of your advice,” I remarked, “ and th<» 
more seriously, because I, this day, heard something in rela- 
tion to the girl’s history that surprised me.” 

Sir William was about to raise a glass of wine to his lips ? 
but I saw his hand tremble, and he put it down untasted. 

“You’re allers bearin’ somethin’ about the women,” 
growled Hez. 

“ What is it ? ” demanded Murden. “ Has she left her 
father, and eloped with a ticket-of-leave man ? ” 

I knew that this was torturing Sir William ; so I hastened 
tD relieve him as much as possible. 

“ Listen to me,” I said, “ and don’t interrupt me.” 

“ A romance is coming,” said the commissioner, and filled 
his glass. 

“ Or a mighty tough yarn. He’s the greatest man for 
adventures,” muttered Hopeful, and lighted a fresh cigar 

“ What should you think,” I remarked, “ if I told you 
that a young girl was in this city whose parents rank among 
the aristocracy of England ? ” 

The commissioner uttered a scornful sniflf. 

“ The girl whom I allude to has no respectable station in 
Melbourne society. She has no rich and influential friends 
that she is aware of ; she is constantly surrounded by all that 
is vile, and yet she is of good birth.” 

Sir William was terribly agitated, yet managed to conceal 
it from my friends. He listened with avidity to all that I 
said, and appeared impatient for me to continue. 

“ Bah ! a romance,” said Murden. 

“ Bah ! two or three of ’em,” Hopeful remarked. 

That young man was growing intoxicated very fast. 

“ Gentlemen,” said Sir William, in a low, trembling, yet 
earnest voice, “ I am interested in our friend’s remarks. 
Will you be kind enough to allow me to listen to them ^ 
Perhaps what he says is not such a romance as you think.’ 

“ O, certainlj-, Sir William,” the commissioner replied, 
inth all an Engli&hinan’s deference for rank and wealth. “ 1 


THB SARONET’S CONFESSION. 


351 


did not for a moment suppose that you cared tc hear the 
yarn. We will keep silent, Sir William — never fear/’ 

“ Two or three fears,” muttered that wretched Hez. 

The baronet motioned for me to continue. 

“ How I became acquainted with the young girl docs not 
matter — ” 

“ 0, but it does, though,” muttered Hopeful. “ Make a 
full confession. He always was the deuce among the petti- 
coats.” 

“ Peihaps,” said Sir William, “ we had better talk this 
matter over in another apartment. Will you follow me, if 
you please ? ” 

I arose and left the room, leaving the commissioner cha- 
grined at Hopeful’s interruption. The police officer wanted 
to hear the communication that I had to make. As soon as 
Sir William had closed the door, he said, his voice no longer 


firm, — 

“ I suspect that you have obtained some knowledge of my 
secret, although in what manner I cannot comprehend, for I 
have not lisped a word to you.” 

“ I am aware you have not ; but perhaps it would have 
been better if you had,” I responded. 

“ Tell me what you know,” the baronet said, in an impe- 
rious tone, as though I was bound to obey him. 

“ If you speak in that style I shall decline to answer you, 
or hold further communication with you on the subject.” 

“ I forgot you are an American — pray excuse me ; ’ and 
the Englishman held out his hand, which I took, and was 
reconciled. 

“ Now, let us talk this matter over in as calm a manner 
as I can command,” Sir William said. I had no objection 
to that. 

“In the first place,” he continued, his dark-blue eyes 
.ooking tender and appealing, “ you will tell me all you know 
on the subject.” 

“ Provided we exchange confidences,” I replied. 

“ A|jreed.” We looked at each other in silence, eadb 
Waitdng for the other to begin. 


852 


THE BUSHBAHGEBS. 


“ Well,” said Sir William, seeing that I did not speak, 
‘‘ let me state, in the moiit frank and reliable manner, that I 
have visited Australia for the purpose of finding a lost 
daughter.” 

“ And you think that you have found her ^ ” 

I think that I have.” 

He uttered a deep sigh, as though he was not fully satis* 
fied in his own mind that it would not have been better never 
to have discovered any trace of her existence. 

“ I am certain,” I remarked, in a confidential tone, “ that 
the young girl called Jenny is your daughter, and that she 
is not in the least related to the Manchester Pet, although 
he calls her his child.” 

It was some moments before the baronet could recover 
from his agitation. At last he raised his head, and asked, — 

“ How have you made your discoveries ? Tell me all the 
circumstances, so that I need not grope in the dark.” 

“ Do you recollect, twenty years ago, at your residence in 
Lancaster, England, that among your domestics was one 
named Mary Brown ? ” 

“ Yes, I have a distinct remembrance of her. She was a 
pretty, rash, headstrong thing, and did not listen to the 
advice which I gave her. She left my service years ago, and 
is dead, I suppose.” 

“ No, she is still alive, but so changed that you would not 
know her. The old woman whom you saw at the cave, 
hideous, repulsive, and dirty, was the same one who left 
your service twenty years since.” 

“ Yes ; but what has she to do with me ? ” 

“Much. You recollect that you attempted to give her 
Bome good advice, do you not ? ” 

“ I think that I did caution her against the advances of a 
ruffian known as a prize-fighter, and called the Manchester 
Pet. The girl was infatuated with the brute, although she 
knew that he was a married man.” 

“ You have a good memory. Sir William. What you have 
itated is correct.” 

“ 0, yes ; it is not difficult to recall such things to my mind.” 


A COMPARlBli OF NOTES. 


36S 


And you would remember the prize-fighter if you Bhould 
Bee him again ? ” 

“ Of course ; a man of his stature and peculiar looks is nol 
easily forgotten. I have seen the fellow several times since 
I have been in this country. He keeps the saloon called the 
Red Lion, where you saw me last night in conversation with 
the girl, Miss Jenny.” 

“ He does not recollect you ? ” I asked. , 

“ No ; and I don’t mean that he shall, just at present. H 
he should hear my name he would know me immediately. 
Twenty years have changed me, making an old man out of 
a young one.” 

“ Before I relate to you what I know, will you be kind 
enough to tell me the relations which existed between your- 
self and the Pet ? ” 

“ Certainly, although it may cost me a blush to do so. At 
one time, before I was married and settled down to be a 
devoted Benedict, the Pet and I were great friends, and de- 
voted to each other ; that is, I backed him in his fights, and 
he backed me in all the rows and nonsense into which I 
entered. Of course he was often at my house, and there 
saw Mary Brown, and took a fancy to her ; and the wench 
was captivated by his bruised face and giant form. She 
knew that the Pet was married, but it made no difference to 
her ; and at last I had to order the prize-fighter from the 
house, for the purpose of saving the girl. Shortly after- 
wards I married, and then dropped all connection with the 
Pet ; but Molly Brown did not, for she met the man quite 
frequently, unknown to me and to the rest of my family. 
I had a daughter born to me — a beautiful child ; and when 
she was two years of age the Pet met with some misfortunea. 
Then he sent for me, and wanted money. I declined to see 
him, but forwarded a hundred pounds for his relief ; and the 
next that I heard of him he was sentenced to transportation. 
Once more he appealed to me ; but his appeal was useless, 
r did not answer it ; and that was the last I heard of the 
prize-fighter until I saw him in Melbourne.” 

These few words had unravelled the mystery, and cor* 


354 


THE BUSHBANGEBS. 


roborated Mother Brown’s statement. But I was cautioufl^ 
and determined to proceed step by step. 

“Your daughter, when she was two years old, disap- 
peared, did she not ? ” I asked. 

Sir William was so agitated that he could not speak for a 
moment ; and, while he was struggling with his feelings, I 
saw tears stealing from his eyes and mingle with his beard. 

“ Yes, she disappeared ; but in what manner we could not 
tell,” the baronet answered, after a long pause. “ We sup. 
posed that the gypsies had taken her ; but a large reward, 
and a careful examination of every tribe in England, failed 
to produce her. Then I feared that she had been drowned ; 
but every stream was searched, and we failed to discover her 
body. At last we gave her up. From that time imtil within 
a year we have mourned her as dead.” 

“ Can you recollect whether Molly Brown left your service 
before or after the child was lost ? ” 

“ Some two weeks before.” 

“ Are you positive ? ” 

“ Quite so. I remember that she expressed the greatest 
regret at leaving the child, and asked permission to kiss it 
before she quitted the house.” 

Here was more and more startling confirmation. I could 
only command my feelings by a powerful effort, so that I 
could continue the conversation. Sir William noticed my 
agitation, and extended his hand. 

“ You feel this as keenly as myself,” he said. “ I thank 
you for the interest you have taken in my affairs. It shows 
that you have a sympathetic heart.” 

“ Yes,” I muttered, in a tone that he could not hear, “ I 
am fearful that my heart is more deeply concerned than you 
are aware of.” 

“Do you recollect where Molly Brown went after she 
left your house ? ” 

“ I heard that she emigrated to Australia, and that was 
the last information concerning her until, a year or two ago, 
a returned Australian called at my house, and, while waiting 
In the drawing-room, saw a portrait of the child, taken when 


EXPLANATIONS. 


855 


she was two years of age. He expressed his astO!:ishiiient 
to my wife and myself, and declared that he saw the original 
on board a ship, twenty years before, with steerage pas- 
sengers, bound to Australia. He was the more part'cular 
on this point, because he had often played with the little girl 
on board the ship, and did much to amuse her and make her 
comfortable. She was then named Jenny Sykes; but what 
was singular, the child did not seem to know her own name, 
and acted in a confused manner when called Sykes. Sho 
was in charge of two women, one of whom said that she wa« 
Mrs. Sykes, and the other did not give her name, although 
she was a good-looking, smart-appearing girl, and was always 
called Mary.'* 

“ Those two women," I said, “ were Mrs. Sykes, the wife 
of the Manchester Pet, and Molly Brown, your domestic. 
They went in one ship, an emigrant vessel, and the Pet went 
in a convict transport. The little girl whom they had — " 

“ Was who ?” demanded the baronet. 

“ Your daughter 1 " Sir William uttered a groan, and 
dropped to the floor as though struck by lightning. 


CHAPTER LIV. 

EXPLANATIONS. — MOTHEB EBOWN AND TOM. AN INTlUt- 

VIEW WITH THE BABONET. 

When Sir William dropped to the floor on my announemg 
that Jenny Sykes and his long lost daughter were one and 
the same person, I opened the door leading to the room 
where Hopeful and Murden were still at the table, smoking 
and drinking with the air of lords. 

“ What’s the row ? *’ the commissioner asked, startled at 
the noise that the baronet had made. 

“ Yes, what’s the row ? ’’ repeated that miserable Hopeful ; 
“ don’t you know any better than to disturb us with youi 
noise.” 


24 


856 


THB BUSHBANQERS. 


“ Sir William has fainted,” I replied. “ Bring me a glasf 
of water.” 

The two men started from the table. Murden with a glass 
of water in his hand, and Hopeful with two pitchers — •’ one 
containing hot water, with which to mix punch, and the other 
iced water. I bathed the baronet’s head and face, while at 
the same time I loosened his cravat, and unbuttoned his 
shirt collar. Sir William opened his eyes-. 

“ You are better, Sir William,” the commissioner said. 
“ Shall I call a surgeon ? Can I do anything for you. Sir 
^Villiam ? ” 

“Yes, hold your tongue,” was the brief rejoinder. 

“Certainly, Sir William,” was the abject reply of the 
Englishman. 

Sir William raised himself up and looked around. 

“ Bring me a glass of wine,” he said to the commissioner. 

“ Give him two glasses — one might make him sick,” mut- 
tered that wretched Hopeful, who cared no more for a baro- 
net, unless he was a good mechanic, than he did for any 
man. 

The wine was brought and drank. Its influence was reviv- 
ing, for the baronet arose and took a chair. 

“ Leave us for a few minutes, my good fellow,” the knight 
said ; and at the words the commissioner bowed and retired. 

“ Now, my kind friend,” said Sir William, as soon as the 
door Closed, “ tell me all that you know on the subject.” 

“ But first inform me if you had not some suspicion that 
the girl was your daughter ? ” 

“ I have strongly suspected it, ever since I met her, after 
my release from the custody of the bushrangers. Her ap- 
pearance, her eyes, face, and hair resemble my wife’s so 
much that I was confounded at the likeness, and deter- 
mined to investigate and learn all the particulars that I could 
respecting her history. I w^as engaged in that business last 
night when you saw me, and saved me from a terrible punish- 
ment at the Bed Lion.” 

“ Yes ; and for being there I was almost resolved to lot 
you do the best that you could, all alone.” 


EXPLANATIONS. 


S57 


“ A little jealous of an old man like me. Fie 1 where is 
your pride ? ” 

“It seems that IVIiss Jenny does not think much of me,” 
I answered, a little bitterly. 

“ To be sure she don’t, and with reason. She supposes 
that you are in some manner connected with the police depart- 
ment, and that you are ashamed or fearful of acknowledging 
the same. KecoUect that she has been reared in the midst 
of people, who, by their habits and instincts, are taught to 
hate law, and those who support it. In time, her mind will 
become disabused of all such nonsense, and then she will 
estimate you at your proper worth.” 

“ I fear not,” I sighed. 

“ Have no fear on the subject. If she is proved to bo my 
own flesh and blood, she will know by instinct her friends. 
None from my house are ungrateful. Now,” he continued, 
after a moment’s reflection, “ will you lay before me all the 
particulars of the plot by which I lost a daughter ? ” 

“ Perhaps you had rather hear the whole matter from the 
lips of the woman who stole your child.” 

“ Certainly. Who is she ? ” 

“ No less a person than Mother Brown, whom you saw at 
the bushrangers* cave.” 

“ WTiat 1 ” cried the baronet, starting up ; “ do you mean 
to tell me that that old hag was once the good-looking do- 
mestic in my family ?” 

“ The same, sir.” 

“ The old villain ! I will have her beaten to death for the 
Clime she has committed ! I will tear her limb from limb 1 ” 

“ Sit down, and listen to me for a moment,” I said ; and 
it length he did so, although he still fumed and raved. “ I 
have promised Mother Brown that if she would make a full 
confession, and undo the wrong that she has helped to do, 
that you vdll forgive her in the fullest manner, and insti- 
tute no proceedings against her.” 

“ I shall do no such thing,” he cried, in a hasty manner, 
jumping up, and making the house shake with his firm tread 
as he walked up and down the apartment. 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


m 

“ As you please,” I answered, and remained quiet. Pres- 
ently the baronet became more calm ; and then he once more 
resumed his seat. 

“ Well,” he asked, “ why don’t you go on ? ” 

“ I have finished my story,” I said. 

“ No, you have not. You have failed to give me the par- 
fciculars of that hag’s confession.” 

“ Yes ; but, nevertheless, I have said all I intend to.” 

What do you mean ? ” spoken most impatiently. 

“ Just what I say. If you can’t bind yourself to keep the 
pledge that I have given the woman, not another word passes 
my lips on the subject of your child.” 

“ Do you mean what you say ? ” he asked. 

“ I do, most emphatically.” 

I can open your mouth only by means of a promise ? ” 
Sir William said. I bowed. 

“ Well, then, take it ; but I tell you it is with great reluc- 
tance that I give it. She should be hanged for what she has 
done.” 

“ I have no doubt of it ; but that same woman saved my 
life at the risk of her own. I owe her a debt of gratitude 
for what she has done for me. It is natural that I should 
be her friend, and while thinking me one, she confided to 
me the secret of her life — the abduction of your daughter. 
Bui first she extorted from me a promise that I would see 
that she was not punished for her offence. Now you know 
all.” The baronet extended his hand. 

“ You are a noble young fellow,” he said,' “ and I am 
proud to call you a friend. If you had lost a child in the 
manner that I did, you would feel as anxious for revenge 
as I felt a few moments since. But go on with your story. 
You have my promise.” 

And you will speak kindly to the old woman ? ” Sir 
William smothered his rising choler, and said yes, and 
motioned to me to proceed. 

“Mother Brown made a full confession this morning, 
telling me the reason why she stole the child, and at whose 
dictation.” 


EXPLANATIONS. 


859 


^ Who could have asked her to perform so mean a part ? ” 
Do you think of no one who had a spite against you at 
the time ? ” 

No, for I had offended no one. I did not have an enemy 
in the country, that I was aware of.” 

“ But still you had an enemy, and a most unscrupulous 
one. He was enraged at your refusal to use your influence 
to have his sentence changed from transportation to a ligut 
fine or imprisonment at home.” 

“ You refer to Bill Sykes, the Manchester Pet ?” 

** I do. He could think of no otl^er manner in which he 
could be revenged, than hy stealing your child. He did 
not do it himself — hut he employed Molly Brown ; and such 
was the influence that he possessed over her, that she con- 
sented to do his bidding, and leave the country for Aus- 
tralia. But I had better let the woman tell her own story, 
provided you will listen to it with patience.” 

“ I will,” the baronet answered. “ But I must have ven- 
geance on that scoundrel, Bill Sykes.” 

“ With all my heart; I am willing,” I answered. “ Shoot 
him or hang him, imprison him or pardon him, it is all one 
to me. I have no love for him, I assure you.” 

“ You are not so indifferent about my daughter ? ” asked 
the baronet, with a sly glance of his eye. 

Of course I blushed, because it was impossible to do 
otherwise on having such a pointed question put to me. 
Sir William noticed my embarrassment, and said, — 

“ Well, well, don’t look so distressed. I noticed, on the 
day that we met the girl on the plain, that you had a fancy 
for her. Let me say that I honor your taste. Just such a 
looking lady was her mother at Jenny’s age. But what 
nonsense I am talking, when I have work of so serious 
a nature before me I About this old woman, Mother Brown 
— where is she to be found ? ” 

“ You will see her without delay, will you ? ” 

“ Yes, the sooner the better.” 

“ But are you strong enough ? Remember, you gay« 
evidence of some weakness.” 


83C 


THE BUSHEANGEBS. 


“ Pshaw ! do you think me a s^ool-girl, ready to faint at 
the sight of blood, or on hearing an emotional story. I am 
an Englishman, sir, and have a heart like a rock.” 

“ I want you to remember your promise. The woman is 
to escape all punishment, except in the shape of words, 
ocold her as much as you please, but nothing worse.” ' ■ 

“ A Byefield does not forget or forfeit his word. I have 
said what I would do; now let me see the old — ” He 
meant to have used a strong expression, but a glance 
silenced him. 

“ I think it is better that you should see her here in your 
own rooms ; do you ? ” 

Sir William nodded his head, and asked, “ When can I 
jee her ? ” 

Within half an hour.” 

The baronet breathed hard, and his eyes flashed ; but in 
a moment all evidence of rage had passed away. 

“ Remember that you boast of being a Byefield,” I said. 

My companion laughed, and once more extended his hand. 

“ 1 wonder if you can subdue your own passions as easily 
ttS you do those of others ? ” 

“ I am afraid not,” I answered. “ But the roaming life 
£ have led for so many years has taught me coolness and 
audacity at the same time.” 

“ I believe you,” was the reply, but spoken in a tone so 
low that it was not intended for my ear. 

“ But the woman, the woman ! let me see her as quick as 
possible, and thus solve all my doubts,” Sir William said, 
a moment afterwards. 

I obtained a carriage at the door of the Nugget House, 
and entering it, was soon in front of Murden’s home. As- 
cending the stairs, I found that I was none too soon, for 
Mr. Tom Spitman was attempting to pick the lock of the door 
leading to the room in which Mother Brown was confined. 

“ You rascal ! ” I said, “ what do you mean by trying to 
open that door ? ” 

“ O, sir,” the fellow replied, with a squirm to escape from 
my grasp, “ the old voman is dry, and I vants to relieve her.” 


MOTHEE BEOWW AND TOM. 


861 


And if you had gainud access to her, you would have 
supplied her with liquor, would you not ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

“ And what then ? ” « 

The rascal grinned as he replied, “ I should have sper- 
imruted with her a little.” 

“ How ? ” 

“ Jist seen if she could stand fire. She’s so jolly ’ily, ^ on 
know.” 

I took the young man by the neck, gave him a sharp turn 
to the left, and headed him down stairs. He picked him- 
self up, and said, — 

“ You’ll be the death of me some day, if you don’t mind. 
You seem to think that my neck ain’t good for anything, 
don't you ? ” 

I shook my fist at the wretch, and he vanished in the 
direction of the kitchen, and commenced some of his useful 
labors, interspersed with torturing and threatening the cook, 
BO that the lower atmosphere was rather hot on that event- 
ful afternoon. Mother Brown had heard my voice, and 
subsided immediately. There were no more calls for liquor. 
She appeared to recollect her promise, and kept sober ; but 
I was not deceived in the least. I unlocked the door, and 
walked in. 

“ 0, my child,” she said, “ how I have wished you to come.” 

“ For what reason ? ” 

“ I’m so dry,” was the reply. 

“ Ah ! you want water. You shall have some, as much 
as you can drink.” 

“Wall, I’m not at all particular. If there ain’t water, you 
can give me the fust thing that comes handy — gin or beer ; 
cne or both will do,” Mother Brown said. 

“ Do you remember your promise ? ” I asked. 

“ What promise ? ” 

“ That you would not drink until this mystery was all 
cleared up.” 

“ Well, ain’t it cleared up. Haven’t I told you my story, ' 
and ain’t that enough ? 


862 


THU BUSHRANQKBS. 


“ No ; you must do more than all that ; you must son 
go with me to the Nugget House.” 

“ For what ? ” 

“ To see Sir William.” 

“ They won’t let me see him. They’ll turn me out 
They wouldn’t even trust me for a glass of gin that I asked 
for one day.” 

“No matter for that. Sir William is at the Nugget 
House, and will see you.” 

“ And have you told him all ? ” 

“ No, not all. I leave it to you to make a full confession.” 

“ And won’t he punish me ? ” 

“ He has pledged himself not to.” 

“ The dear old master I 0, how he must feel towards me ! ” 

“ He is calm now, and will listen to what you have to say. 
Come.” 

“ Not a step till I has a ‘ spider ’ to keep my courage up.” 

I saw that the old woman was resolute ; so I went to my 
room and poured out a fair dose of gin. She took it at 
once, and then declared that she was ready. She trembled 
violently as I opened the door and led her into the presence 
of Sir William, who was standing up ready to receive her. 
No sooner did she catch a glimpse of the baronet than she 
uttered a cry, broke from my control, and threw herself at 
the feet of her former master. 


CHAPTER LV. 

KOTHER BEOrWlf’s CONFESSION. THE STOLEN CHILI). — 

THE LOCKS OP HAIR. 

For a few moments there was silence in the room, broken 
only by the sobs of the woman. That wretched Hopeful, 
who did not comprehend the meaning of the scene, managed 
to mutter some maudlin stuff ; but no one paid the slightest 
Mention to him. 


MOTHKB BROW’S CONFESSION. SM 

“ Stand up,” said Sir William, stooping dcwn, and 
attempting to raise the woman; but she shrank from his 
touch, and continued to sob and beg for mercy. 

By some exertion we managed to get the woman into a 
seat ; but we found it necessary to hold her there. In xhe 
mean time the scene was so confounding to the police com- 
missioner that he could only gaze at the old woman and at 
the baronet, and then turn his gray eyes upon me, as though 
asking for an explanation. I had schooled myself for the 
scene, and was prepared for it. Not so Sir William. In 
spite of his firmness, he trembled, and looked pale and hag- 
gard. I went to the table, and poured out a glass of wine, 
and handed it to him. He thanked me with a smile, and 
then noticing Mother Brown’s wishful look, he said, — 

“ Will you give her a glass ? It will do her good at the 
present time.” 

“ More blessed and truthful words yer never said afore 
or will agin,” whined Mrs. Brown, with a gasp, and a clutch 
at her throat, as though to convey the impression that it was 
dreadfully parched. 

“ It is many years since you left my service, Mrs. Brown,” 
the baronet said. 

“ Yes, sir, and it was a sorry day for me that I did leave 
it. It would have been better for mo if I had stuck by the 
old haU.” 

“ You know why I have summoned you here ? ” the bar- 
onet demanded. 

“ Yes, Sir William ; I knows, and am sorry for what I 
knows.” 

“ If you are truly repentant I shall forgive you, provided 
you make a full and candid confession.” 

Hez began to grew interested. He reached towards a 
bottle, but suddenly altered his mind, and turned his back 
upon the table and contents. As soon as Mother Brown 
had recovered from her agitation. Sir William motioned 
for her to go on. 

“I was a contented girl, Sir William,” she said, * when I 
lived in yer household, till I met that ’ere Manchestef 


S64 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


Pet, or Bill Sykes, — that was his name, — the prize-fightei 
what yer allers had hangin’ at yer heels, and followin’ round 
arter yer like a dog.” 

The baronet winced a little, but did not interrupt her. 

“Well, sir, as he was allers in the servants’ hall, a drink-, 
in’ and a guzzlin’, and tellin’ us women-folks that he could 
whip most every one, and not more’n half train at that, I 
kinder took a likin’ to him, ’cause I was a young and foolish 
woman at that time, and didn’t know what was best for me. 
The Pet appeared so brave, and could lick men so easy, 
that I thought that he must be somethin’ more than a man ; 
and so I just took a fancy to him. He read it, and took a 
likin’ to me, and told me that when his wife died he would 
marry me ; and I lived on, hopin’ that she would pop off ; 
but she didn’t ; she lived, just to spite me, I used to think. 
But the Pet was just as pleasant, kinder, to me, as though 
she was dead, and I used to give him all the best pickings 
from the first table, and steal wine from the butler, so that 
he could wet his lips with the best that the house afforded. 
Yer didn’t know all that was goin’ on in yer house, Sir 
WiUiam.” 

“ No, I suppose not,” groaned the baronet. 

“We used to be awful extravagant. Sir William, in the 
servants’ hall, ’cause we had no missis to find fault and 
check the accounts. But arter a while yer brought home a 
wife, Sir William ; and a bonny thing she was, and she loved 
yer very much, and spoke pleasant to all of us ; but I hated 
her, ’cause Bill Sykes told me to. Yer turned a cold shoul- 
der to him after yer was married, ’cause yer didn’t care so 
much for prize-fights, and dog-fights, and rat-terriers, and 
horse-racing, and sich like sport, arter yer had sich a hand- 
some wife to love.” 

The baronet blushed at having the secrets of his early life 
exposed ; but he did not interrupt the old woman. 

“All of yer people rejoiced at the change, ’cept Bill 
c^^kes and me. Yer was colder and colder to Bill, and no 
longer axed him to yer house, or backed him in his fights. 
He used to swear at yer for it, and say that he wculd 


MOTHER BROWN’S CONFESSION. 


863 


revenged, and all sich as that ; but still he wou.dnH leb mi 
leave yer sarvice, ’cause he said I could be useful to him 
where I was, some day. I liked him well enough to do just 
as he said ; so I continued to live in yer home until yei 
little Marie was two years of age. 

“ Well, when the little gal was two years old, the Pet had 
a big fight with another feller, and killed him. He was 
tabbed for manslaughter, and tried for it, and got a ticket 
in the shape of transportation for life. Then he sent for 
yer, Sir William ; and when yer didn’t come, he writ to yer, 
and axed for money and help to have his sentence changed 
to a fine and imprisonment at home. Yer didn’t mind him, 
and then the Pet grew raving mad. He sent for me, and 
told me, in the presence of his wife, what he wanted me to 
do. Don’t curse me. Sir William, or trample me under foot ; 
but the big bully did want me to steal the child, yer little 
Marie, and to go to Australia in a transport, while he went 
out with the convicts. His wife she tells me to do the same ; 
and when I refuses, they both say that they’ll ruin me unless 
I does. But I still holds out, and then the wife she leaves 
us alone ; and, 0, law ! I couldn’t refuse when he took me in 
his arms and called me his darling Mollie, and said that ho 
would splice me as soon as his old woman hopped the twig.” 

Sir William uttered a groan, and was inclined to start up, 
in his wrath, and do the old woman some damage ; but I 
whispered, “ Bernember your word.” 

“ I will,” he said, “ but it is hard to do so.” 

“ Sykes said that I must leave yer comfortable home, Sir 
William, so that when the child was missed I wouldn’t be 
suspected. He gave me money, and told me just what to do, 
and where the ship sailed from that s'tarted for Australia. 
After I had secured the child, I was to cut off her curls, 
dress her in poor clothes, and stain her skin, with some kind 
of juice that his wife got from gypsies. She was to join me, 
and help me do the work.” 

“ 0 God, can all this be true ? ” groaned the unhappy 
father. 

“ Saxtic j it’s all gospel what Pm tellin’ of yer. Yer don’t 


irtjer 


THE BUSHKAiraiRS. 


iB’pOfle rd lie, do yer ? No, Sir William, it's trutli what jaH 
gets out of me. Fm determined to tell it if I chokes — 
there now. 

“ Where was I ? 0, 1 see. Well, I did just as the Pet 
wanted me to do. I left yer house. Sir William, and took 
board with a friend about a mile from the hall. I said I was 
goin’ to try my luck in Australia, where women was dear 
and men in plenty, and where most any one could have a 
husband what wished, and didn’t look too high. I waited 
there till I hears from Sykes’s wife. One day she met mo in 
the forest, and tells me I must grab the child as soon as pos- 
sible, and start for Liverpool one week from the day that 
little Marie is took. The Pet didn’t want me to run as soon 
as I took the gal, ’cos he was afeard that I would be ’spected, 
and followed. I was to steal the child, ’cos I knew she 
would go with me ; and arter I had done so, Sykes’s wife was 
to help me doctor her, and then run with her out of the 
county, and find a place to stow away till I jined her, and 
the ship sailed.” 

“ Do you mean to tell me that you carried out your hellish 
design ? ” asked the baronet, in a low, weak tone, as though 
the confession was too much for him. 

“Yes, sir; I did what I told Sykes Pd do. I took the 
gal one mornin’ when she was playin’ in the park, and looked 
BO pretty that my heart almost failed me ; and if I hadn’t 
told Sykes Pd do it, I shouldn’t have had the heart to lay 
hands on her.” 

“ For Heaven’s sake, spare me the details ! ” murmured 
Sir William ; and then rising to his feet, he staggered to the 
table, and drank a full goblet of hock. 

“ I have but little more to add. Sir William,” she said. 
“ I took the child, and we doctored it ; and then Mrs. Sykes 
(she was an ugly old thing as ever lived — I hated her) cut 
for Liverpool, and arter the hue and cry was all over, I 
started for the same place. From there we took a ship, and 
sailed over the ocean so blue for Australia.” 

“And the child,” gasped Sir William. “Dii it not cry 
and moan for its friends^'’ 


M0THE2 BEOTTN’S COErUBSIOM. 86l 

0, yes, it almost sobbed its blue eyes out ; but artcr a 
while it didn’t seem to mind it much, and played with the 
sailors, and was as jolly as could be.” 

Sir William’s hands worked convulsively, as though they 
were inclined to fasten upon the old woman’s throat, and 
choke the life out of her in short order. 

“ What next ? ” asked the baronet, as soon as he dared 
trust his voice. 

“ Well, when we arrived at Melbourne, Bill Sykes was 
there hard at work on his sentence. His wife she opens a 
public house with money that ho gives her, and I goes and 
lives with her as a bar-maid, and keep a watch over little 
Marie at the same time. In about six months, old Mother 
Sykes applied to the authorities for a servant, and she selects 
her husband, and says that she will be responsible for him ; 
so he is given a ticket-of-leave, and he marches into the 
saloon one day, and takes charge of the Red Lion on his 
own account.” 

Mother Brown at this stage commenced weeping, but stiU 
managed to talk. 

“ Then began my trials,” she said. “ I had a hard 
trial with that Pet and his wife. And, after a while, it 
got so hot I had to cut sticks, and then I sank lower and 
lower, till at last I was nothing but a poor, miserable, 
drunken cook for a gang of bushrangers,” 

While she was sobbing and talking, she tore open the front 
cf her dress, and produced a little bag carefully tied up. 
She ripped it open, and then placed in the baronet’s hands 
several little golden curls cut from Jenny’s head on the day 
that she was abducted. With a sigh and a groan. Sir William 
pressed the locks to his lips, and then human endurance 
could hold out no longer ; his head dropped, and had I not 
taught him, he would have fallen to the floor. 


THE BCSHEAKGER8. 


CHAPTER LVI, 

fEEPA-BATIONS FOR AN ARREST. — THE PET ON THE WATCH 
BAD NEWS. 

Murden hastened to the baronet with a glass of water. 
We wet the man^ face, and at last had the satisfaction of 
seeing him open his eyes and look around, in a doubtful; 
uncertain manner, as though not exactly realizing all that 
had taken place. 

“We must have the fellow arrested for conspiracy and 
abduction,” the commissioner remarked in a brisk tone. 
“ Leave all to me, and I’ll see it done. PU get the warrant 
out, and see that it is served at the proper time.” 

“ But we must first extort a confession from the brute,” 
Sir William remarked. “ I want to be certain that it’s my 
child that I take to my heart and home.” 

“ We’ll have it out of him. Sir William ; no fear of that,” 
the commissioner replied. “ Leave the matter to me, and 
I’ll make him confess, or I’ll make him suffer.” 

“ Then we had better start for the Red Lion at once,” Sir 
William remarked. 

“ I shall have to differ from you on that point,” the com- 
missioner replied. “ It is too late to obtain a warrant, and 
if we did we should create such an intense excitement in 
Mud Lane by arresting the Pet, that the fellow would be 
likely to expect a rescue, and keep a silent tongue. No, 
Sir William, there is time enough to-morrow. He suspects 
nothing, so he’ll not leave the city, and the lady knows 
nothing of what is going on.” 

“ No, of course not.” 

“ Then let us separate, and meet to-morrow forenoon, say 
at ten o’clock, and then proceed to the Red Lion, where we 
can have an examination.” 

‘ ' Would it not be better to have one in this room ? Can’l 
yon bring the lady and the Pet to my quarters ? ” 


FEEPARATIONS FOR AN ARREST. 


869 


“ Certainly, Sir William. I can do that in an easy manner.” 

“ Then ITl thank you to do it. I should like to have all 
of you breakfast with me in the morning, say at nine o’clock, 
and after the meal we can proceed to business.” We ali 
agreed to that. 

“ Mother Brown had better be kept in the background 
until we are ready for her,” I said. “ She must not appear 
until we have tried other means to compel the Pet to confess.” 

“ I like the suggestion. It shall be acted on. Now, what 
shall we do with her? She must be kept from liquor, and 
confined in some room where escape is impossible.” 

“ I don’t want to escape,” she said, in a determined tone. 
“ I wouldn’t leave this work undone for all the gold in the 
mines of Ballarat. Bill Sykes must suffer for all wrongs 
he has committed on me and others. Don’t fear my es- 
capin’. ni drink, but not run.” 

“We must be careful. Mother Brown,” the commissioner 
said. “You can go home with us and spend the night, and 
then we shall know where to put our hands on you in the 
morning. You shall have a ‘ spider* for a night-cap, and bit- 
ters before breakfast.” 

“ I’ll go with yer ; ” and the old woman arose. 

“ A parting glass before we separate,” Sir WiUiam sai^. 

“ I’m agreed,” cried Ilez and Mother Brown with '^e 
accord. 

We emptied our wine-glasses, and then shook hands with 
the baronet, and took our departure. As the night was 
pleasant and cool, we walked home, and had proceeded but a 
short distance when wo saw the Pet on the sidewalk, look- 
ing up at the Nugget House, and in the direction of the 
room which Sir William occupied. The ex-prize-fighter was 
so much engaged that he did not notice us as we passed 
near him. Ilis eyes were too firmly fixed on the room 
wliich we had just left to pay the least attention to our 
m )vements, although Mother Brown did express a wish to 
punch his head, and to tear some of his hair out by the roots^ 
and would have closed with him, if we had not held oa 
ko her and threatened her if she made the least noise ot 


570 


THE BUSHBANQiaS. 


attrucied the slightest attention. When we were seme dis- 
tance from the Pet, I turned and looked back. He was still 
gazing at the windows of Sir William’s room, as though 
meditating upon some bold and desperate deed. Did Sykes 
suspect that Sir William was on his track, and determined to 
pursue him until justice and vengeance were satisfied ? It 
looked so ; but how had he learned the fact ? Had some one 
in the baronet’s pay revealed the secret, and thus placed the 
Pet on his guard ? I feared so, and wished that we had acted 
promptly that night, and thus brought the matter to a close. 
I hinted as much to Murden ; but the commissioner laughed 
at my fears, and contended that there was not the slightest 
danger of our missing the man. He would be found in 
the morning at the Red Lion, behind his bar, doing duty, 
as usual. 

Leaving the Pet standing on the sidewalk, we started for 
home, each one thinking of the morrow, and how Miss 
Jenny would welcome so great a revolution in her cir- 
cumstances. To be raised from the position of bar-maid in 
the Red Lion to that of a baronet’s daughter, rich and pow- 
erful, would be something of a change ; and I was anxious 
to see if she would assume the position of a lady with a vul- 
gar flourish, or with a quiet dignity that would become her 
beauty and present education. 

We sat and smoked until the mantel clock struck the hour 
of twelve, and then separated for our respective rooms, 
with express orders to Tom to call us at seven — instruc- 
tions which he followed to the letter, confound him ! for I 
was terribly sleepy when he knocked at the door, and told 
me the time, and also intimated that Murden was up and 
dressed, and had been stirring round the house for an hour 
or more. I called to Hez, but that genius swore at me in a 
frightful manner ; so I let him remain in bed, undisturbed. 
He was getting corrupted by contact with the natives of Aus- 
tralia in the most remarkable manner. Many and wonderful 
changes had taken place in his disposition since we landed 
in the province of Victoria, aiid I feared that it would re- 
quire all of my Christ! an -like resignation to get along with 


BAD NEWS. 


S71 


him. I left Hopeful snoring, walked down, and found Mur den 
transacting some business with early callers, and sipping cofl’ee 
at tbe same time. He looked as fresh and energetic as ever. 

“Wo will move in a few moments,** he said. “ To tell 
the truth, I almost repent that I did not take your advice, 
and arrest the Pet last night. Somehow I don’t feel quite 
right about the matter. Some misfortune is about to happen, 
unless my nerves are unstrung with last night’s drinking. 
Mighty good wine, though, wasn’t it ? The Nugget House 
can do up such things when it has a mind to.” 

“ If some blunder has occurred through your neglect,” I 
iaid, with a quiver of apprehension, “ don’t ask me to for- 
give you, for I never will. You know how strongly I urged 
you to act last night, and how obstinate you were.” 

“ Yes, I remember all that.” ' '' 

“ Well, continue to think of it, for I shall be angry if the 
Pet has made his escape.” 

‘ No fear of that. If he has left the city I can bring hin 
back. I will find him if he is in Victoria.” 

Some one knocked at the door. 

“ Come in,” roared the commissioner. 

The door opened, and we saw Lieutenant Maurice stand- 
ing before us, pale and weak-looking, with his arm in a sling 
and the limb covered with blood. 

“ For God’s sake, what has happened ? ” demanded tho 
eommissioner. 

“ I have some bad news for you,” the lieutenant replied, 
in a low tone. 

I saw that the man could hardly keep his feet ; so I went 
towards him and gave him an arm, and led him to a seat. 

“ K you have a drop of wine in the house, I would be 
thankful for it,” the lieutenant said. 

“ You shall have a gallon, only let me know what disaster 
has happened,” cried the impatient commissioner. 

“ Well, sir, it is hard news for you to hear, but last night 
Mad Dick made his escape, and is at large.” 

The commissioner sprang to his feet, and roared with 
rage and disappointment. He raved in the most frightful 
25 


872 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


manner, and would not listen to reason, until Maurice turned 
a shade paler, and then his head fell forward, and the man 
would have fallen to the ground if I had not caught him. 

‘‘ Don’t be a fool,” I said, in an impatient manner. 
“ Don’t you see that the man is nearly dead with fatigue 
and a severe wound, which he has not even stopped to have 
dressed by a surgeon ? Come, be reasonable.” 

The commissioner raved in a subdued tone, and then as- 
sisted me to restore Maurice, who was an old soldier, and 
could endure much without a murmur. We poured wine and 
water down his throat, dashed water on his face, and took a 
hasty look at the limb, which we found injured by a bullet 
having passed through the flesh of the arm, and escaped the 
bones, so that they were not broken. We sent Tom for a 
surgeon ; but before the doctor arrived, the lieutenant opened 
his eyes, and expressed his thanks with a faint smile. 

“ I did all that I could to recapture the scamp,” Maurice 
said ; “ but he was too much for me. He had one of our 
carbines, and when I thought I had him, he let drive, and 
gave me this ugly wound as a keepsake.” 

Just at this moment there was a knock at the door, and a 
servant of the Nugget House entered. 

“ Sir William Byefield wishes to see you two gentlemen 
as quick as possible.” 

Murden and I looked at each other in dismay. 'WTiat 
had happened to occasion such a hasty summons ? 


CHAPTER LVn. 

A SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE. — THE PURSUIT. 

Something was wrong, or else Sir William was ovei 
anxious, and wished to relieve his mind of some of the care 
that preyed upon it, in an expeditious manner. But at the 
present time we could not obey the awimmons ; we had other 
and important work. We had to attend to Maurice, and 


A SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE. 


37a 


then make some arrangement for the pursuit of Mad Dick, 
one of the most desperate of bushrangers, who, after a long 
course of depredations, had been captured by Murden and his 
men, and incarcerated to await his trial. Neither Murden 
nor myself had the slightest idea that the bushranger could 
be immediately retaken. But public opinion required that 
something should be done, and the commissioner was not the 
man to slight it. He loved praise and feared censure too 
much for that. 

Maurice manifested some symptoms of shame at having 
fainted. 

“ I never did such a thing afore,” he said, “ and hope that 
I shan’t again. But this scratch does jump so like a kick- 
ing colt, that I had to knock under. Excuse me.” 

“ Say no more, old fellow,” Murden replied. “ I dare say 
that you did all that man could do to bring Mad Dick in. 
He is a great loss, because he was a bold man ; but I think 
we shall secure him once more.” 

“ I sent four men — all that I could spare — after the fel- 
low as soon as he gave me this keepsake,” Maurice replied. 
“ But I have little hope that they will find the rascal. You 
know him. He is as cunning as Old Nick himself.” 

We left for the Nugget House, and were soon in the pres- 
ence of Sir William, whom we found pacing up and down his 
chamber, in a terrible state of agitation. 

“ Well would it have been if we had proceeded to the Bed 
Lion last night, when I could have claimed my daughter, and 
you could have arrested the Pet,” Sir William moaned. 

“ But I can do my part this morning,” the commissioner 
remarked. 

“ Too late,” moaned the baronet. 

“ Why too late ? ” I asked. 

“ Because this morning the Bed Lion is closed, and Sykes 
and my poor child have left the city.” 

“ I am glad to hear that affairs are no worse,” Murden 
said. “ I feared that some serious misfortune had occurred. 
We can easily put that to rights. Never fear but that wi 
•hah find them. I’ll warrant you that we shall.” 

r 


874 


THE BUSHEANQEBS. 


“ But you do not think of my terrible misfortune — I, who 
had longed to clasp a daughter to my heart ; to tell her how 
much a fond mother desired to see her. I must now post- 
pone that gratification. It is too hard, when by a little 
prudence all this might have been avoided.” 

“ Are you sure that they have left the city, Sir William ? ” 

“ Quite sure. The Pet must have suspected that some 
designs were entertained on his liberty, or he would not have 
left so suddenly.” 

“ I thought so last night, when I saw him standing in front 
of this hotel. Even then I supposed it was desirable that 
he should be arrested, but Mr. Murden thought differently ; 
BO there was an end of it. Now, we must recover the young 
lady, and lose no time in doing so.” 

“ You give me hope,” said Sir William. 

“ If my friend will only join me, I shall have no fear of 
the result,” Murden remarked, giving me a strange look. 

“ You will go with us ? ” cried the baronet, with an anxious 
glance. 

“ I am not a free agent,” I said, in a tone that must have 
convinced both gentlemen that I was anxious to serve them. 

“ For my sake, for my poor wronged child’s sake, do not 
leave us at this extremity,” Sir William cried. 

“ For her sake I will not,” I answered. “ For her sake 
I will again encounter dangers and privations, and even 
death.” 

“ I will go to the Red Lion, and see if I can trace the 
flight of the fugitives,” ‘Murden said. 

“ They have been traced by one of my men,” the baronet 
remarked. “ They left the city at twelve o’clock last night, 
in a vehicle. They headed towards Bendigo.” 

“ But I can pick up a few particulars. In the mean time, 
Mr. Jack, will you go to the house, and make preparations 
for our departure ? We must leave the city within an hour 
or two,” said Murden. 

I left the room and hastened home, where I found Hope- 
ful eating breakfast. He uttered a dozen objections against 
my going but when I told him he could load the crusherf 


THE HUNT FOR THE BARONET’S DAUGHTER. 874 

and steam-engine as well as I could, lie was somewhat modi- 
fied, and concluded that I had better go, and let him manage 
the business alone. My preparations were soon made, and 
at eleven o’clock we left the city, aU three of us on horse 
back, with provisions sufficient to last a week. But I made 
one great mistake. I left Rover with Hopeful. 


CHAPTER LVm. 

THE HUNT FOE THE BAEONET’s DAUGHTEE. A MIDNIGinf 

ADVENTUEE. 

We rode on in silence for an hour, raising clouds of dust 
which almost stifled us, until at last we drew rein at Perry’s 
farm, where we dismounted to obtain a drink of water and 
to rest our horses, the heat beginning to tell on them in a 
severe manner. Ten or a dozen teams were in front of 
the door, the owners having turned their cattle loose until 
sundown, when they intended to continue their journey with 
more comfort than they could during midday. I was just 
about to lift a tin pot of water to my lips when I felt a hand 
on my shoulder. Turning round I saw my kind friend. 
Smith, his face none too free of dust and dirt, but looking 
as well as possible under the circumstances. 

“Who’d a thought of seeing you?” he cried, shaking 
hands with an unction that showed how delighted he was at 
the meeting. “ What’s in the wind now ? ” 

I drew him aside, so that none of the loungers could over- 
bear us, and then asked him a few questions before I an- 
swered one. 

‘ How long have you been here ? ” was the first interrogation. 

“ Ever since eight o’clock this morning.” 

“ You were on the road all night ? ” 

“ Yes ; I and my teams.” 

** Bid you meet a man and a girl on the road, some time 
this morning 


876 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


“ Yes,” was the prompt answer. 

“mere?” 

“ At Fox’s station, where we stopped for water at the sink 
hole at that place.” 

“ Did you notice them in a particular manner ? ” 

“ Yes ; because they seemed in a hurry, and would not 
speak with us. The man was a big fellow. I’ve seen him 
b Melbourne many a time.” 

“ And the woman ; did you notice her face ? ” 

“ No ; it was covered up, as though she was cold. The 
air was rather chilly.” 

“ Well, what else ? ” 

“Nothing, only the man watered his horses, and then 
started as fast as he could urge the animals. But what is 
up ? More adventures and speculations ? K I could leave 
my teams — I have four of ’em with me, for the purpose of 
carting your machinery to the cave — ” 

“ It won’t do, Smith,” I said, with a smile ; “ you are a 
steady-gomg man, married to your second wife — a woman 
who needs more protection and cherishing than Becky, your 
first spouse. No, no ; you have sown your wild oats. You 
can’t go with us.” 

“ But she would never know it,” pleaded Smith. 

“ What ! could you deceive your wife ? For shame, sir I 
You don’t deserve so excellent a woman.” 

The honest fellow winked one of his eyes, and said, in a 
slow and measured tone, — 

“ Gammon ! You know you can’t put on such airs 
to me, and pretend that you would be a pattern. It 
won’t do.” 

Of course I wilted at once, and no longer attempted to 
rebuke him; but, nevertheless, I was determined that he 
should not accompany me on the expedition. 

“ How did you leave Amelia ? ” I asked. 

“ Slowly recovering ; but still weak, and agitated at the 
least thing. She would like to see you. Stop at the house 
if you have a chance. You know its doors are always open 
to you and j our friends.’* 


THE HUNT FOR THE BARONET’S DAUGHTER. 871 

I pressed the man’s hand, and then along came Murden and 
Sir William to see if I had obtained any intelligence. In a 
few words I informed them of the news which Smith had 
brought. Sir William was terribly impatient. 

At two o’clock we started, although it was against our own 
judgment, and that of the stockmen who were waiting at the 
house until the heat of the day had passed, before they under- 
took their journey to the mines, or towards Melbourne. We 
guarded as well as possible against sunstroke, by placing 
wet cloths in our hats ; but we had not ridden five miles be- 
fore the cloths were dry, our horses covered with foam, and 
in such a state of dejection that even the touch of the spur 
did not cause the least movement of an animated nature. 
Under the circumstances, there was but one thing to do. 
That was, to find shade and rest until sundown ; and it was 
well that we determined on such a course, for no sooner had 
we obtained shelter than Sir William was so overcome that 
we had to help him from his horse, pour wine down his 
throat, and bathe his head and neck with water ; and, even 
with such treatment, he was an hour or two in recovering 
sufliciently to enable him to speak. The first words that Sir 
William uttered were, — 

“ My child ! what will become of her ? ” 

He made an effort as though to continue his journey, but 
he was too weak, and his head troubled him ; so he sank 
back with a groan. 

“ Your child will be as safe’ a month hence as she is now,” 
I said. “ She will be restored to your arms ; but it will take 
some little time to accomplish it. The man who has her in 
his power will remain concealed for a few weeks, perhaps 
months, or until he thinks that you have given up the pur- 
suit.” 

“ 0, why didn’t we arrest the rascal last night ? ” groaned 
the baronet. 

“ Because we were too stupid to do so. We shall know 
better next time.” 

This was not as good consolation as I could have wished 
to bestow, but it was the best I had ; and before the baronet 


878 


THE BUSHRANGERjg. 


Lad time to finl fault with it, I looked up and saw within 
ten rods of us a native of the Mount Barker tribe, armed 
with a long spear, a shield made of tough bark, and painted 
around his body with stripes of red ochre, found in some 
parts of Australia, and used by the natives for personal 
adornment. I signalized the native to approach, which he 
did very willingly, for he scented tobacco and liquor — two 
things which an Australian takes to. When within ten feet 
of us, he stopped, leaned on his spear, took a survey of us, 
commencing with Mur den, and ending with Sir William. 

“ Ugh 1 ” he grunted, the baronet’s white hair having at- 
tracted his attention ; “ bissinacy.” 

He turned to leave us, for he thought he had stumbled 
upon a venerable missionary and two of his attendants, and 
if such was the case, he knew that he would have a dry wel- 
come and a long harangue. 

“ Stop,” I cried. “ No marimi.*^ 

“No?” 

“No.” 

The native drew a long breath, but still appeared unsatis- 
fied. Murden thought that he would convince him ; he drew 
a bottle and held it up. The shrewd native shook his head. 
It would not do. He had seen missionaries perform that 
part of their duties with much greater flourish than Murden 
attempted. 

“ You d — d fool ! ” roared the annoyed commissioner. 

The oath settled the question instanter. The native 
Btretched out his dark, dirty paw, and muttered in guttural 
tones, — 

“ Gib me lub.” 

Murden poured out a little of the spirit, and handed it to 
the native. Then we commenced questioning the man, using 
English and the native language to make ourselves under- 
stood, and by that means we were enabled to learn that the 
fellow had seen the Pet and a lady early that morning, head- 
ing for Bendigo. So at six o’clock we thought wo could 
venture to start, and by twelve o’clock we mad ' thirty miles, 
and were just thinking of stopping for the night, when we 


A MIDNIGHT ADVENTUKK. 


879 


were somewliat surprised by hearing a peremptory command 
of “ Halt'* A.a we checked our horses, the same voice that 
had bid us halt asked, — 

“Do you surrender ? ” 

“ To whom ? I demanded. 

“ No matter. Do you surrender ? ” 

“How large is your force?” I continued, in a bantering tone, 

“ Large enough to take care of a dozen like yours,” wa« 
the answer. 

“ I don’t believe it.” 

“ Then dismount, and see for yourself.” 

I was about to dismount, but not with the intention of sur- 
rendering, when Murden took up the conversation. 

“ We surrender,” he said, “ but we demand good treat- 
ment.” 

“ As good as you deserve,” was the answer. 

“ Who in the deuce can they be ? ” whispered Murden. 
“ I have heard of no gang of bushrangers operating on the 
Bendigo road. Blast the luck ! ” 

“ Put on the handcuffs and disarm the prisoners. Lead the 
horses to the camp. Close in, men,” thundered the captain. 

Murden was about to utter an indignant remonstrance ; 
but just at that moment his eyes fell upon the costume of 
our captors, and he shook with silent laughter, as he whis- 
pered, — 

“ By the Lord Harry, if we ain’t in the hands of the 
mounted police of Bendigo ! ” 

“ We swear to you,” I cried, as they produced their hand- 
cuffs, “ that we will make no effort to escape.” 

“ Bah ! bosh ! don’t talk in that way. We are not to be 
blarneyed by such as you. We know you too well.” 

Of course we had to submit, although Sir William uttered 
a deep groan when he found a pair of steel bracelets on his 
aristocratic wrists, and the commissioner would have uttered 
roars of rage, if I bad not restrained him. The police 
closed around us, and marched us through the bush for 
about a •quarter of a mile. We then saw a fire, three men 
sitting around it, and drinking coffee with as much relish as 


880 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


if tliey had been Tfithout for two days. This agreeable oc- 
cupation was suspended when we were fairly within the 
light of the flames. 

“ Well,” said the man, who appeared to be in authoiity, 
setting his tin cup down on the ground, “ you have secured 
them, have you ? ” 

“Yes, sir; here they are.” 

“ Did they show fight ? Did they injure any of our men ? 
asked the chief. 

“ No, sir. Lord, they was awful glum when we took ’em. 
They didn’t raise a hand. They didn’t seem to have no more 
spunk than so many sheep. I tell yer we took the fight out 
of ’em.” 

“What in heaven’s name do they take us for?” whis- 
pered Sir William. 

“ Bushrangers,” I answered. 

When the chief spoke, I thought that I recollected his voice 
and form, and I was trying to think of his name ; but just as 
I answered the baronet, some one called the policeman Mr. 
Commissioner Brown, and then it struck me that I had thus 
singularly fallen upon my old Ballarat friend, whom I had 
not seen since I returned to Australia. The idea of our 
thus meeting was so laughable that I could no longer con- 
tain myself, and I roared outright, to the intense surprise of 
my friends and the policemen who surrounded us. 


CHAPTER LIX. 

mZTINO AN OLD FREEND. A DISAGREEABLE 8TTRPM8*. — 

A COUNCIL OF WAR. 

The Bendigo commissioner, after he was once on hie feet, 
surveyed us by the light of the flames with much com- 
placency. 

“ A worse looking set of ruffians I never saw in my life,” 
he remarked. “ Rascal is stamped on every feature.” 


MEKTmG OP AN OLD PRIENO. 


S81 


Considering the darkness we did not think the criticism a 
fair one, so only laughed at it ; not low, in fear and trembling 
but with a hearty roar, as though we felt all that we uttered. 
The commissioner started back, astonished and confounded. 

“ You hardened wretches ! ” he said, “ you’ll cry before 
you laugh much more. Your crimes — ” 

“ 0, gammon ! ” I interrupted. “ What do you think of 
yourself?” 

“ You insolent scoundrel, what do you mean ? ” 

“ Just what I say. I could tell some hard stories of you.” 

“ And so could I,” laughed Mr. Murden. 

Brown was petrified with rage and astonishment. At last 
he broke out : — 

“You villains ! I’ll see you hanged before many days. 
Gallows is written all over your faces. I never saw three 
men with such ugly mugs.” 

We renewed our laughter at this. The joke was too good 
to remain quiet. 

“ Shall I whack ’em over the head with my carbine ? ” asked 
the man who had commanded the party that had captured us. 

“ Do if you dare ! ” cried Sir William, who could no longer 
control his indignation. “ If you offer the least violence 
beyond what you have committed. I’ll see that the police 
department is cleared of such abusive ruffians. These gen- 
tlemen,” pointing to us, “ may think that there is something 
of a joke in being handcuffed, but I must say that I am un- 
able to see it as yet.” 

Even Mr. Brown, the Bendigo commissioner, was aston- 
ished, for he stopped and pondered over the words of the 
baronet, as though wondering if it were possible a bushranger 
could utter them. Finally he managed to ask a question. 

“ Who in heaven’s name are you ? ” he thundered. 

We hesitated a moment, to see if we had carried the joke 
far enough ; but Mr. Brown was impatient. 

“ Speak. Who are you ? ” he cried. 

“ This gentleman,” I said, pointing my manacled hands 
towards the baronet, “ is Sir William Byefield, of Lancaster.” 

The police metered a shout of laughter. They thought 


883 


THE BUSHKAHGEBS. 


that we wf re romancing. Even Mr. Brown allowed his darh 
features to relax a very little. I waited until the mirth had 
subsided, and then continued in a calm tone, impressive as 
possible : — 

“ This gentleman,” pointing to the commissioner of Mel- 
bourne, “ the man whom you characterize as the ugliest 
looking ruffian that you ever saw — ” 

There was a gesture of impatience from Murden. He 
didn’t like such a compliment. 

“ Is no less a person than Mr. Commissioner Murden, of 
Melbourne, out on a scout.” 

There was another laugh on the part of the police, but it 
was not so loud as before. Mr. Brown did not even smile. 
He began to meditate. 

“ And who are you, sir ? ” he asked, in a slightly saf castie 
tone. 

“ ‘Will you allow me to whisper my name in your ear ? ” 

“ Yes ; come near me and do so.” 

I stepped forward, and whispered the cognomen by which 
I was known at Ballarat during the first year of my residence 
at that interesting place. Mr. Brown started back, perfectly 
overpowered with astonishment. For a moment he could 
not speak. Then he rallied, sprang towards me, tore the 
hat from my head, turned down the coat cqUar that shaded 
my face, gave one long, earnest look, and the next instant, 
with a yell of joy, he threw his arms around me, and hugged 
me with as much zeal as though I were a woman, and he 
in love with me, and had just received permission to take 
0uch an important liberty. 

“ You dear old boy ! ” laughed and cried the Bendigo 
commissioner in the same breath. “ How came you here ? 
Who expected to see you just at this time ? "When did you 
arrive in Victoria ? Speak to me. Tell me something.” 

“ How can I do so, when my hands are ornamented with 
these bracelets, and when you are squeezing me to death in 
an embrace like that of an anaconda ? ” 

Mr. Brown suddenly relaxed his hold, and shouted, — 

** Take offi those irons this instant. Be quick about ii 


A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE. 


88 ) 


What in creation do you mean by putting irons on the best 
friend I ever had ? Off with them.” 

“ And mine too,” cried Murden. “ I’ve worn them long 
enough. Take them off.” 

“ Of course I will. Old fellow, why didn’t you utter your 
name before ? If you had but said who you were — ” 

“But what are we to do now? ” asked Sir William, when we 
had explained matters. “ Can’t we continue the pursuit ? 
Remember, we are losing time.” 

“ Which we can make up at daylight,” answered IVIr. Brown. 
“ The fox is heading towards Bendigo. There we can mi; 
him to earth in good time. There is no occasion for haste.” 

“ You don’t know a parent’s anxiety,” murmured the baro- 
net in a low tone. 

Just at that moment a cry that reminded me of the howl- 
ing of a pack of hungry wolves started us, and caused us 
to hold our breath, uncertain whether we were attacked by 
men or fiends, devils or natives. Once more the yell was 
uttered ; and then we heard the galloping of horses, tearing 
through the bush as though ten thousand devils were on their 
backs ; but above the tramping of steeds I thought that I could 
hear a burst of sardonic laughter, as if some fiend were chuck- 
ling at our astonishment. The police, who were rolled up in 
their blankets and mosquito nets, struggled to their feet, and 
grasped their carbines, as though to resist a desperate attack. 
For one moment there was silence, and then the hoarse voice 
of hlr. Brown was heard, as he shouted, — 

“ Give them a volley, men ! Fire high, so as not to kill 
the horses.” 

There was an irregular discharge ; but as the men could 
see nothing, and could only judge of the position of the 
horses by the noise, it was not very effectual. In fact, I 
don’t think that a single animal was touched. For a 
moment after the guns were fired there was silence, and then 
came a ringing laugh, a regular ha, ha, ha ! of the mocking 
description, and the sound of horses’ feet died away. The 
police started in pursuit ; but hlr. Brown called them back. 

• “You fools,” he remarked, in a complimentary tone, 


THE BUSHEANGEBS. 


“ don’t you know that it’s of no use to run after a itan 
who’s on horseback ? Come back, I tell you ! 

The men returned in a sullen, dejected manner, as though 
they had not been treated just right ; while the rest of us 
looked at the fire, and at each oUier, and wondered what 
we were to do, hunting for the Pet and Miss J enny on foot. 

“ Tell me the meaning of this confusion, this sudden 
attack,” Sir William said. 

“ Well, you see. Sir William,” returned Mr. Brown, “ the 
confounded bushrangers have rather stolen a march on us. 
More’s the pity, I say.” 

“ Amen to that,” muttered Murden. 

“ What are we to do for horses ? ” demanded Sir William. 
“ We can’t continue the pursuit on foot.” 

“ That’s a question that I can’t answer. Sir William. All 
that I can think about is the fact that we have been sur- 
prised, and our horses stampeded. Now, who has done this 
bold, yet neat trick ? ” 

Mr. Brown looked around upon his audience, and waited 
for an answer. As Murden did not speak, I thought I 
would utter my sentiments. 

“ There are none so blind as those who will not see,” 
T said. “You have- had repeated warnings of the sudden 
and stealthy attacks of the bushrangers ; yet you will not 
gain by experience. You knew that Mad Dick was near us, 
that he must be somewhere in the neighborhood ; yet what 
do I find ? There is no guard set over the horses, although 
you have some twenty men. All lie down to sleep, and 
trust to fortune to keep Mad Dick at a distance. If you 
would find your animals, you must seek for them.” 

“ Then you think that that bushranger has done the job ? ” 
asked Mr. Brown. 

“ Yes ; he and others whom he picked up on the road.” 

“ Then I’ll punch Mad Dick’s head the very first time 
that we meet,” said Mr. Brown, in an emphatic manner. 

With this resolution he threw out some pickets, while the 
rest of us rolled our heads in blankets, and went to sleep ; 
for it was useless to pursue at that hour of tho might. • 


jlH FtIMUlT, 




CHAPTER LX. 

I» PURSUIT. A SURPRISE. — A BLOW ON THE HEAD. — 

THE CONFERENCE. — A PRISONER. — A FEW REMARKS BY 

MISS JENNY. — HER VISIT AND ASSISTANCE. 

“ What shall we do ?” asked Mr. Brown, as soon as we 
liad eaten breakfast and packed up our traps. 

“ Push on for Bendigo as soon as possible,” was the gen- 
eral reply. 

In a short time we were off, each of us with our blankets 
strapped on our backs ; while the rest of our traps were left 
behind, under a guard of ten men, who were to be sent for 
as soon as we reached Bendigo. We were some time in 
getting clear of the bush and trees ; but at last wo struck 
the plain and the road, and although the travel was hard 
and unusual to most of us, still we trudged on most man- 
fully until near ten o’clock, when we found the sun so over- 
poworingly hot that we were compelled to call a halt, and seek 
for rest and shade. Away on the right was a forest of gum 
trees, and towards that forest we directed our weary steps. 
Panting, thirsty, and covered with dust, we gained the 
shade and threw ourselves down, too much exhausted to 
exchange congratulations on the fact that we had found 
leaves to screen us from the hot sun. The day passed most 
slowly. Towards the close of the afternoon I wandered off 
into the dense forest for the purpose of looking up game ; 
for it seemed to me that activity was better than mopping 
one’s face, and brushing away flies and mosquitos. I found 
some relief in walking. The insects did not bite as savagely 
while I was in motion as they did when I sat still ; so I 
continued on until I was warned that I had strayed far 
enough, and that it was time to join my companions. I 
turned to retrace my steps ; but just at that moment I caught 
my foot in what seemed a vine. The shock was so great 
that I staggered, and in attempting to recover my upright 


886 


THE BUBHBAKOEBS. 


position, I grasped at some bushes that grew near me. 
They were large and thick, and seemed capable of sustain- 
ing my weight. As I touched them they yielded, giving 
way so quick that I was a little surprised ; but as I fell I felt 
that my feet were in something more than the curl of a vine, 
and looking down I saw, squat behind the bushes, the grin- 
ning and repulsive faces of Bill Sykes and Mad Dick. 

“ Give him a lurch. Bill,” said the gruff tones of Mad 
Dick. “ We don’t want none of his backers here.” 

The Manchester Pet, in obedience to the command, did 
give me a lurch, and a disagreeable one it was ; for he sud- 
denly gave a pull, and over I went, head first, into some 
bushes, so that the free use of my arms was required to 
prevent my eyes from being destroyed. The cunning ras- 
cals had caught me in a trap. The instant I struck the 
bushes, I heard the Pet say, — 

“ Let me give him a shot and finish him.” 

“ And bring the whole gang down on us ? ” growled Mad 
Dick. 

“ I should think I might put him out of the way,” snarled 
the Pet. “ He’s a blasted spy, and don’t desarve any mercy 
from me nor my gal.” 

“ Ain’t there time enough for all that ? ” asked Mad Dick, 
in a tone that savored of impatience. “ Don’t we want to 
learn a few particulars ? ” 

“ But, hang him ! he’s a slippery customer, and he may 
get off.” 

“There ain’t no more chance for him than there is for 
you to go to heaven,” returned Mad Dick, in a tone that ad- 
mittfed of no argument. 

“ Turn him over, and let’s see what he’s up to now,” the 
bushranger continued. 

The Pet seized me with no gentle hand, took my pistol 
and knife, and then turned me so that they could look at my 
face. The prize-fighter must have seen something in my 
eyes that expressed the abhorrence with which I regarded 
him, for he assumed a savage, prize-ring look, and then, un- 
^le to control his temper, raised my pistol and struck me • 


A BLOW OS THE HEAD. 


S87 


violent blow upon the head, so hard that it seemed as though 
he had cnished the skull, for I felt the blood spirt over my 
face ; a dull pain passed over my eyes and shot through my 
temples, and then all grew dark and silent. When I recov- 
ered my senses, I found that I was lying on my back cn the 
ground. My pains were so severe that I had some trouble 
in moving ; but at last I dragged my body about in the dark, 
felt with niy hands, and found that I was in some kind 
of a room, which was small, and constructed in the rudest 
manner. 

For a short period I cursed myself for visiting Australia 
for the second time. I thought, what a fool I was to knock my 
head against every obstruction that I met, and for meddling 
in matters that did not concern me. Why did I not remain 
in Melbourne and assist Hez, who was hard at work on his 
quartz-crushers ? 

While these subjects were passing through my mind, I 
thought I heard a movement in another room, and after a 
while I was certain that my surmises were correct ; for some 
one uttered an emphatic condemnation of the matches in 
the most energetic manner because he could not light a can- 
ale with them. 

I remained quiet, and listened; but after a candle was 
lighted I crawled to one of the cracks of the partition, and 
peered through. The sight that met my view was a surpris- 
ing one. I saw, seated at the table as though they had just 
entered the hut, the Manchester Pet and Mad Dick ; while in 
a corner, looking as cold and as haughty as ever, was Miss 
Jenny. The two men were eating boiled mutton, and be- 
tween them was a black bottle, suggestive of spirit. 

For a while the men were too busily engaged in eating to 
exchange a word ; but at last the Pet looked towards Jenny, 
and, with some show of affection, remarked, — 

“ Well, lass, has you bin lonesome like, all alone ?’* 

“ You know I have,” returned the girl, in a cold, calm 
tone. “ How could I help being tired and lonesome, all 
alone, out here in the brush ? ” 

“ Well, well, lass, don’t scold. In a few days we will be 

i6 


S88 


THK BTISHHANQEBS. 


off. We lias tlircwn the traps off the scent. They has started 
for Bendigo as fast as their legs can carry ’em.” 

“ And they has lost the number of their mess,” chuckled 
Mad Dick. “ Pass the rum.” 

“ Mighty lucky the young scamp left his dog in the city,” 
remarked the Pet, after he had tasted his liquor. “ We 
should have had to finish ’em both, and that might have been 
troublesome.” 

There was silence for a moment ; and then Jenny raised 
her blue eyes, so cold and calm, and asked, — 

“ Who have you got in that room ? Pve heard him groan 
all day, aud if you hadn’t taken the key Pd gone in and seed 
him. Who is it ? ” 

“ Never you mind,” returned the Pet, “ who it is.” 

“ But I does mind. Who is it ? ” 

“ Why don’t you tell the lass,” demanded* Mad Dick. 
“ She’ll be as glad as we is to think that we has him.” 

The Pet hesitated, and looked at the girl as though he 
would refuse her request if he dared. At last he said, — 

“ It’s some cove what you hates, Jenny.” 

“ Well, who ? ” with an impatient gesture. 

“ Well, it’s that police spy, you know. The one what had 
your daddy nabbed, arter he choked him at the Bed Lion.” 

“ 0,” the girl said, and shut her finely-carved mouth in a 
resolute manner. 

“ Yes, lass, it’s him ; and, now that we has him, we don’t 
mean that he shall get away in a hurry. His friends might 
just as well settle up his estate, ’cos I don’t think that he will 
claim it.” 

“0,” was all the remark that Jenny made; but she 
nodded her pretty head several times, as though she com- 
prehended. 

“Ye see the cove has gin us trouble enough,” continued 
the Pet. “It’s time he was out of the way. He’s hurt 
our business more’n any other man. Blast him 1 He driv 
me out of Melbourne. But only for a short time, lass. I 
shall go back agin.” 

“ To be sure you wiU,” cried Mad Dick, in a hearty tone, 


THE CONFERENCE. 


389 


with another pull at the liquor. “ Arter we gets a few things 
settled wo all three will jist leave this country, and find a 
place where we can live like gentlemen. Tm tired of being 
hunted like a wild dog.” 

“ That’s the dodge,” remarked the Pet. “ I’ll jist sell 
what I has and cut stick. But we has much to do afore 
that. We must throw the traps off the track, and make ’em 
think we is lost. Yes, we must keep out of sight, Dick.” 

“You don’t ’spese that Pm goin’ to stand out in front of 
the station, and shout out our intentions, do you ? ” asked 
Mad Dick. 

“ No ; but I thought that you seemed a little shaky to-day 
arter I had cracked the Yankee spy’s skull.” 

Jenny raised her eyes, and looked full at her father’s face, 
as though suddenly interested in the conversation. 

“ Didn’t I tell you that if we had dished the feller that the 
traps would have hunted for a week but they would have 
found us, and the place where we is tied up ? ” Mad Dick 
asked, in an impatient tone. “ Don’t I know how much them 
commissioners sot by him ? They would have revenged his 
death in some way, I tell you.” 

The Pet grumbled, and acquiesced in the opinion. Then 
he helped himself to liquor, and appeared to find consolation 
in the bottle. Jenny, I noticed, was listening to the conver- 
sation, although she did not appear to care for it. 

“ Yes,” continued Mad Dick, in a musing tone, “ arter all, 
I’m sorry that you smashed the young kite’s head, ’cos I 
think that if we had been pushed that we could have used 
him-” 

“ But he’s a rat — a spy,” hissed the Pet. 

“ 0, gammon 1 You has been a spy long enough foi the 
traps to know better than that. IIo ain’t no more a spy 
than I is.” 

Miss Jenny raised her eyes to Mad Dick’s face, and ap- 
peared more and more interested. 

“ Well, what is he then ? ” 

“He’s what they call a ventersome Yankee — a feller 
what Ukes excitement, and helps his friends. That’s what 


890 


THE BUSHBANGEE3 


ho is ; and Tm sorry that yon rapped him, ’cos I think that 
we might have used him.” 

lie took up the bottle as he spoke, but it was empty. 
Miss Jenny noticed the fact, arose, and took from a box 
another bottle, apparently full, and placed it before the Pet. 

“ Well done, lass. I thought that you said we shouldn’t 
swill but one can ? ” 

“ I have altered my mind,” was all the reply that she 
made, as she resumed her seat. 

“ 3Iay you keep on altering your mind, if it is as good as 
this,” replied the giant, and filled his glass. 

“ It’s too late to cry about spilt milk,” Sykes remarked, 
as he tasted the liquor. “ The feller’s head is smashed, and 
there’s an end of it. As far as I’m concerned, I wish that 
it had finished him ; but, as it didn’t, why I ’spose we must 
let him die where he is. He won’t forget the blow in a 
hurry.” 

The future did indeed look dark and gloomy ; and so over- 
come did I feel, that I was compelled to lay my aching head 
on my arm, and allow a groan of anguish to escape from me. 

“ Hullo ! ” Mad Pick said, “ our bird is awake and singing. 
Wonder how he feels.” 

“ Give me the key, and let me go and see.” J enny re- 
marked. 

“ No, you stay here,” Sykes cried, in a stern tone. “ Let 
the cove die. We has enough to do to take care of our- 
selves/* 

Jenny, when she was refused, did not manifest the least 
disposition to complain. I think that the pain I endured 
rather stupefied me, for I lost all consciousness, or appeared 
to fall into an uneasy sleep ; and, when I awakened, the light 
in the next room was burning dim, and the two men were 
resting their heads on the table, and appeared to be sleeping 
quite sound, judging from the snoring. Although the efforts 
which I made were painful, yet I managed to rest my head 
on my arm, and peer through the crack of the partition. 
At first I thought that Miss J enny was sleeping ; but, while 
I looked, she glanced at the slumbering men, then arose in a 


A FEW BEMABKS BT MISS JSNET. 


39i 


^•refill manner, removed the candle from the table, trimmed 
it, and then put her hand in her father’s pocket, and took 
out a key. It suddenly flashed across my mind that Miss 
Jenny was about to pay me a visit. I was so much agitated 
at the thought that I could hardly restrain myself. My heart 
throbbed wildly, and my wound appeared to bleed afresh, 
such was my emotion. 

I had but just time to lay my head on the ground when 
Miss Jenny entered the room. For a moment she stood 
near the entrance, looking towards me, or endeavoring to 
discover in which part of the room I was. It was so dark 
that she could not see where I was lying. I remained quiet, 
watching her motions. I knew her disposition, and was 
aware that I must permit her to do as she pleased, or she 
would have a fit of the sulks, and leave me in disgust. So 
I waited, with a beating heart and aching head, for her to 
speak to me, and make known her plans. 

“ Are you awake ? ” she asked at length. 

I did not answer, but managed to breathe as though I was 
in distress ; and, to tell the truth, I was, for my head ached 
as though it would split open. 

“ Where are you ? ” asked Jenny, in a whisper. 

I still maintained silence. 

She hesitated a moment, and then left me, but quickly 
returned with the light in her hand.. She held it up, so that 
its rays fell upon my head, and then advanced, and knelt be- 
side me. 

I opened my eyes, and looked her full in the face. 

“ Do you know me ? ” she asked. 

I murmured a feeble “ yes.” 

It was my intention to appear more injured than I really 
was. 

“ Then don’t talk, but let me help you. Hold still while 
I look at your wound.” 

She examined the wound carefully, and I heard her sigh 
as she did so. Her hands trembled as she pulled aside the 
matted hair ; yet her touch was as light and delicate as a 
young girl nursing a lover. 


893 


THE BUSHEAHOEBS. 


“You have a terrible injury,” she said. “No wondei 
your head aches. Sarves you right for not mindin’ your own 
business. What did you want to chase after us for ? Didn’t 
you know any better ? ” 

I considered this rather a poor return for the trouble I had 
taken on her behalf ; but I stifled my resentment, and made 
no reply. I thought that, if she ever learned how much I 
had done for her, she would feel sorry for her words, and 
the manner in which she had treated me. 

“ I jist learned from a friend of my dad’s that you ain’t a 
police spy. I can believe him, although the governor says 
you is in with the traps, and does their spying business. 
You don’t, do you ? ” 

I thought that she spoke in a manner thai^ showed she 
wanted me to answer in the negative ; that she desired the 
question settled at once and forever. 

“ I have always told you that I was not a spy,” I replied ; 
“ but you would not believe me. Give me some water to 
drink, for I’m parched with fever and thirst.” 

She left me, and returned with a tin pot full of water. I 
was so thirsty that it seemed as though water never tasted 
as well. I emptied the pot, and uttered a sigh of relief. 

“Now wait, and I’ll wash some of the blood from yer 
head.” 

“ And if they should wake up, and discover you with me, 
what would they say ? ” I asked. 

“ I don’t care what they say. I ain’t afeard of ’em. K 
they talks to me, I’ll jist talk back, and give ’em as good 
as they send.” 

I could not but admire her independence, although I did not 
relish the manner in which she expressed herself. It was 
Red Lion stylo ; but the girl knew no better. 

I had half a mind to tell her the secret of her birth ; but 
I thought better of it, and concluded that it would take too 
long. Besides, I did not know how it would affect her. I 
thought that my head was of more account, by the maLner in 
which it ached, than a long history of her early misfortunes. 

She left me, and returned with water and rags. For the 


HXB VISIT AITD ASSISTA5CK. 


89 $ 

latter I was inclined to think that she had torn up a handker- 
chief ; for I saw a little needle-work in one of the corners. 
At any rate, the cloth was soft, and her touch light ; but her 
task was difficult. She had to use a pair of scissors quite 
freely, cutting off matted hair that clung to the wound, and 
had dried there stiff and hard. I bore the pain without a 
murmur ; but, in spite of my silence, Miss Jenny would con- 
tinue to whisper to me, sometimes in a tone o^ pity, and 
again in a manner that showed she wanted to scold. 

“ I don’t know what’s goin’ to become of yer,” she said. 
“ Here’s one side of yer head all caved in. Yer might have 
known that the governor could lick a dozen jist like yer. 
He’s a giant. He’s strong. Didn’t he give yer thunder one 
day at the Red Lion ? Wan’t that enough to last yer ? No, 
yer must try yer hand agin. I don’t know what’s to become 
of yer!” 

“ Can’t I escape from here before the men awake ? ” 

“ Yes, if yer can walk thirty miles afore they moves.” 

“ But I might ride.” 

“ Well, what is yer going to ride in or on ? ” she asked. 

“ Horseback.” 

“ Where is yer boss ? ” 

“ I can take one of those which Sykes and Mad Dick stole 
from the traps last night.” 

“Can yer?” with a sneer of contempt. “Why, them 
bosses is on the way to Ballarat, where they will be sold 
cheap for cash, and the money divided betwix the men what 
did the trick.” 

“But can’t I use the carriage and horses which brought 
you here ? ” 

“ Them is gone back to Melbourne by the hand of a trusty 
cove what had his directions how to move.” 

I uttered a sigh. The Pet had managed shrewdly. He 
had acted in such a manner that all traces of his whereabouts 
would be lost. 

I had yet another question — one of importance. I was 
desirous of seeing if she suspected the reason why Sykes 
left Melbourne so suddenly. 


494 


THE BUSHBANOEBS. 


“ I don’t know as it is any of yer business,” she said, in 
reply to my question ; “ but I ain’t afeard to tell yer, so now. 
The governor said that the perlice was arter him, and that 
unless we cut sticks they’d nab us.” 

“ I wish. Miss Jenny,” I remarked, in a soft tone, “ that 
you would be a little more choice in your language.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” she asked ; and she suspended her 
operations on my head to look me full in the face, her large 
blue eyes extended to their utmost limits. 

“ Why, don’t use words which a young lady ought not to 
use. Learn to speak properly.” 

“ Wky, blast yer impudence I Tm a good mind to leave 
yer with yer head half dressed. Can’t I speak as well as 
you can ? ” 

I thought that I had made an unfortunate attempt to cor- 
rect the lady’s English, and that I had better postpone the 
subject until some more favorable opportunity. 

“ 0, yes, you can speak as well, and your voice is sweet- 
er,” I hastened to add. 

“ Then what’s the matter with me ? ” and, as she spoke, 
she gave my head a sudden jerk which sent such a thrill of 
pain through my system that I could hardly repress a cry of 
agony. 

She saw me put my hand to my head as the pain darted 
through my temples ; and, suspecting what she had done, an 
expression of sympathy passed over her face. 

“ Did I hurt yer ? ” she asked ; and I saw in her beautiful 
countenance the sweet, womanly feeling so peculiar to a 
young girl. 

“ Forgive me,” she whispered ; “ I didn’t mean to. But 
you hadn’t oughter have made me savage by slurring me. 
You know it.” 

“ I won’t again,” I answered, finding that she grew worse 
and worse. She was like a young panther, all claws^ and, 
unless you played with her in a careful manner, would get 
scarred for life. 

“ You’d better not, unless you don’t want to see mo no 
more.' 


HXB VISIT ASD ASSISTANCX. 


At this point of the conversation she arose and left me ; 
but it was only for the purpose of seeing if Sykes and Mad 
Dick were still sleeping. Finding that they were, she went 
to a box, took out a bottle, some rags, and a piece of plaster. 
W'ith these articles in her hand, she returned to my side, 
poured out some spirit, and mixed it with water, and then 
compelled me to drink it. I did not hesitate long about 
obeying her. Then she poured the spirit upon the wound 
on my head, saying as she did so, — 

“ Now grit yer teeth, ’cause it will hurt.” 

I should think so, and the warning to grit my teeth was 
not lost. I found it necessary to grind them together in an 
emphatic manner, to prevent shrieking aloud when the hot 
spirit touched my wound. It seemed as though it would 
burn my brains out, shrivel up my flesh, and drive me dis- 
tracted ; and, while I was suffering all this, ]\Iiss J enny re- 
marked, in a cool tone, — 

“ Don’t you make a noise.” 

I believe that the little witch did it on purpose, to punish 
me for what I had done in the way of correcting her expres- 
sions. If such was the case, she had a fiendish re.venge. 

“ Does it hurt ? ” Jenny asked, after she had emptied half 
the contents of the bottle over my head. 

“ Yes ; the liquor is very powerful.” 

“ I should think it was. It even can knock over my gov- 
ernor, and it takes somethin’ strong to do that. He’s got 
more strength than two such men as you.” 

“ I have no doubt of it, yet if you will examine his face 
/ou will see my mark there.” 

“ Ah, where you hit him with the beer pot. Now, if it 
I7an’t for that same lick I could get the governor to let you 
run.” 

“ But there’s nothing to prevent me from leaving at the 
present time,” I remarked, in a quiet tone. 

“Ain’t there?” with an expression of scorn that was 
highly amusing, or would have been under other circum- 
stances. “ Perhaps you don’t think me somethin’,” the 
young girl continued. 


m 


tHB BUSHHAlJQfiBS. 


“ Yes, I think a great deal of you,” I remarked. 

“ Wall, stop that. I don’t want no love-making round 
here. I knows yer and yer intentions.” 

“ You are mistaken,” I remarked, in a quiet tone. “ I 
was not thinking of love — I was considering how I should 
f scape from this place and join my friends.” 

“ Them what yer has in the other world ? ” 

“ No, those on earth. I have no desire to see those in 
heaven.” 

“ Humph, there ain’t much chance of that. But stop yei 
noise, and don’t talk trash. If yer can udt stick, do it. I 
should like to see yer walk off, ’cos I tell yer my governor 
will starve yer to death if he can.” 

“ And will you consent to such a cruel course ?” 

“ I don’t know. Yer ain’t much to me. ’Tain’t so bad as 
hittin’ a cove on the head with a beer pot.” 

She uttered the last words as though she had found an 
argument that could be used against me at all times, and with 
great effect. I quailed a little, but soon rallied, and told her 
that I would see what I could do in the walking line, for 
I did not dare to remain and trust my life to the tender mer- 
cies of the two men in the next room. 

“ Wall, let’s see what kind of a fist yer’ll make on yer 
feet.” 

As she spoke she extended her hand, and helped me to 
stand up. As soon as I was on my feet, I saw that it was 
impossible for me to walk any great distance ; that I was 
too weak and dizzy to think of it. Jenny noticed that I 
could hardly stand, and with happy forethought placed one 
of my arms around her waist. 

“ I let yer do it,” she said, ’cos yer sick. If yer wan’t, 
yer shouldn’t, I know.” 

I was enabled, by holding on firmly to the young lady’s 
waist, to steady myself, and wait unliil the first paroigrsm of 
pain and weakness had passed away ; but still it seemed 
I could not walk a mile, even to save my life. The blow on 
my head had been too severe, and I had lost too much blood 
to move for a great distance. 


HKE VISIT AND ASSISTANCE. 


337 


** Yer Bee yer can’t walk thirty miles, don’t yer ? ” Mis# 
Jenny said. 

« Yes.” 

“ Wall, what yer goin’ to do about it ? ” 

** Can’t I hide in some of the bushes near at hand, and 
wait till I gain strength ? ” 

She thought of the question for a moment before she re- 
plied to it. 

“ You might do that. I could bring yer water and some- 
thin’ to eat every time I had a chance.” 

“ Besides, I could take a supply with me,” I suggested. 

“ Wall, I think that’ll work. Come out in the air, and let’s 
see how you move.” 

With my arm firmly clasped around the waist of the young 
girl, so that I could walk steadily, I stepped into the room 
where Mad Dick and the Pet were sleeping. It would have 
been an easy matter for me to have killed the two brutes, 
for their pistols were in their belts, and I had no doubt but 
that they were loaded. As I moved on very slowly, I no- 
ticed that the Pet had my revolver in one of his pockets. 
As I needed it more than he did, I just took possession, 
Jenny making no objections. Quiet as I was, however, tha 
Pet moved, and seemed as though inclined to wake up ; but 
he did not, while Mad Dick slumbered on undisturbed. 

In a few seconds we were in the open air, cool, clear, and 
fresh, so different from the interior of the hut, that I felt 
myself growing stronger. I removed my arm from the girl’s 
waist, and attempted to walk without her support. In a very 
short time I was convinced that my strength was not equal 
to such an effort, and I was glad to return to the tapered 
waist of ]\Iiss Jenny, while she saluted me with, — 

“ There now, you see how groggy yer is 1 Yer ain’t got 
no wind, and a child could knock yer out of time.” 


THS BUSHBAN0BB8. 




CHAPTEB LXI. 

A HOMEin^OXTS QXTESTIOK. A TEBBIBLE STBUOCIUS. 

“ Come,” sLe said, after I had rested, “ yer must cut onl 
of this. Time’s up. If the governor should suspect yer’s 
out here, there’d ho a jolly row. Yer must stow away in 
the bushes till the coast is clear.” 

“ And starve ? ” I asked, as I walked by her side, an arm 
on her shoulder to prevent me from staggering through ex- 
cess of weakness. ^ 

“ No, if I can TU bring yer grub every day, and water 
too.” 

“ 0, Jenny,” I cried, “ don’t say grub. It’s so vulgar.” 

“ Look a-here,” she replied, in a fierce tone ; “ Til be 
dished if I don’t drop yer if yer talk in that kind of style. 
Tm goin’ to use just such words as I please ; so don’t come 
yer lingo over me.” 

“But, Jenny,” I said, in a soothing tone, “ suppose yon 
were rich, and occupied a good station in society ; wouldn’t 
you want to speak as correctly as the young girls whom yon 
would meet ? ” 

“ No,” she answered, in a sullen tone ; but I knew, by the 
manner in which she spoke, that my words were having some 
effect, for as we moved along she looked up, and in a low 
voice remarked, “ I shan’t ever be fit for sich kind of 
company as yer tells about. I never seed sich girls except 
the ones what would go by me in their carriages, in Mel- 
bourne, and turn up their noses at me, ’cos I was a bar-maid 
and had to work.” 

“ And yet, Jenny, you would like to be one of those same 
ladies, would you not ? ” 

“ Of course it’s better to ride in a carriage than to be handin’ 
out goes of gin, and mixin’ spiders, and drawin’ ’alf-and-’alf 
for Mud-Laners, what thinks themselves pretty grand if they 
gives yer a sixpence of an evenin’. Bah ! Pm tired of all sich.” 


A MOMENTOUS QUESTION. 


599 

>. 

** And would you leave such a life with pleasure, dear 
Jenny ? I asked, in a low, pleading, affectionate tone. 

‘ Look a-here, cried the fierce little jade, with a sudden 
stop, and a stamp of her pretty little foot, “ if you comes 
that kind of palavar round me. I’ll jist rap that cocoanut 
of yern till it aches — there now.” 

“ Wen, what have I said ? ” I asked, in a helpless tone, 
amazed at her sudden temper. 

“ rd think yer’d ask,” with a curl of her thin red lips and 
a toss of her head, while I could see a frown on a brow that 
was handsome enough for a coronet. 

“ I don’t understand.” 

“ Well, I does, and if I ain’t a girl of much edication, I 
can take hints without any kicks — so there now.” 

“ She grows worse and worse,” I thought ; but I didn’t say 
it. “ Dear Jenny,” I remarked, in a soothing tone. 

0, bother, don’t talk that way to a cove. Say what 
yer’ve got to, and done with it.” 

“ I have nothing to say. What did you suppose I wanted 
to tell you ? ” 

The girl did not look quite so indignant as she did a mo- 
ment before. 

“ Well, I thought that it was sass yer was givin’ me. Two 
or three times yerVe hinted that I needn’t be a bar-maid. 
Well, if I wam’t such, yer mean that yer could take care of 
me ; but yer don’t intend that I should be yer wife — there 
now, yer mean thing.” 

My heart gave a great leap, and I felt my head grow dizzy, 

I think that I staggered a Httle, for I was faint ; but when I 
recovered I found Jenny’s arms around me, and my head 
was resting on her shoulder, as cosily as though we had been 
life-long lovers. 

Do yer feel better ? ” she asked, in a low tone, and with 
all of a woman’s tenderness. 

“ Your cruel suspicions,” I managed to say, « made mn 
faint ; you must know by this time, that I mean honestly by 
you.” 

“ Y«», I g’pose yer do,” — and I felt » Utdo closer oaataei 


400 


¥HB BUBH3AHOSBS. 

from her arms, — “ but does yer mean tbe marrying kind of 
honesty. That’s what I want to know.” 

Here was a blunt question, and one that I should have to 
answer, although Heaven knows I was not prepared to ; and 
for the space of about ten seconds, all the time that I knew 
the young girl, with her suspicious nature, would give me, I 
reflected. 

“ I love you Jenny,” I said in a low whisper. 

Her round, white arms pressed closer and closer to my 
neck, and her head was turned so that I could feel her breath 
upon my cheek, as though she was waiting for my decision. 

“ Yes, but how much does yer love me ? That’s just what 
I wants to know.” 

I stole a look at her face, and saw that it was resolute, de- 
termined. She had broken through all maidenly rules for 
the purpose of obtaining an answer to her question. With 
her ideas of right and wrong she meant to find out if I loved 
her, and wanted her as- a mistress or wife. And I was so 
pinned down by the little beauty that I must say yes or no, 
and lose all of her esteem and respect, if I answered in the 
negative. 

The position was a most unpleasant one. If I said that I 
was willing to trust her with my name and some of my cares, 
her proper father. Sir William, would imagine that I had 
been false to him and the trust which he imposed upon me ; 
that I had extorted consent from Jenny just for the purpose 
of forming an alliance with his house ; and if I made love to 
the girl and obtained her consent, previous to informing her 
that she was born to a different position from that which she 
now occupied, wouldn’t she think that I had deceived her a 
little, and that my affection was increased by the thought 
that her father was rich and occupied a high position in so- 
ciety ? All these ideas passed through my brain while the 
young girl was waiting for my answer. I had more serious 
thoughts than ever before in such a short space of time ; and 
iu fact I was only prevented from continuing them, by her 
raying, — 

^ Yer don’t talk much like a cove what cares for a lass.” 


A MOMENTOUS QUESTION. 


401 


“ But I do care for you, Jenny.” 

“ 'Well, then, why don’t yer say so, and have done with it ? ” 

“ Because I don’t want to take advantage of your posi- 
tion.” 

“ Humph,” she replied, rather sharply, “I’d give yer a 
whack in the face if yer offered to take any advantage of me 
out here — so now.” 

She jerked her arms from around me, and so sudden was 
her violence, that I staggered and fell to the ground ; and it 
was rather s fortunate tumble after all, for the girl repented 
of her expression of anger, fell on her knees beside me, 
raised my head, from which the blood re-commenced flowing, 
said that she was sorry, and hoped that I would forgive her ; 
and then it suddenly occurred to me that I could postpone 
her momentous question, for a time at least, on the ground 
that my injuries were too severe to answer all that she wanted 
to know. 

“ Yer mustn’t stay here,” she said, after a while ; “ do 
forgive me ; get up and take to the bush, where yer can 
stow away till yer is strong enough to tramp for it. Come, 
m help yer, and bring yer water and grub. 0, I’m so 
sorry that I pushed yer down! But yer hadn’t ought to 
have made me mad.” 

“ I shall see you to-morrow,” I said, as I commenced 
preparing a place where I could lie down, sheltered from 
the sun. 

“ Yes, if I can get away from the hut without^ the gov- 
ernor’s seeing me. I must be shady, yer know.” 

It was an awful night, the one that I passed. Before 
morning I had made up my mind to start on the journey to 
Bendigo, trusting to luck to make my escape. Faint and 
dizzy as I was, I could not be very sure of my course, or 
walk long without resting ; and as daylight began to appear, 
I sunk down on some bushes, no longer able to stand. How 
long I remained in a semi-unconscious state I cannot tell ; 
but I was awakened by hearing the tramp of many feet, and 
on raising my head and looking up I saw — 0, what a thrill 
went through my heart as I saw the bluo-ooated policemen 


403 


THB BUSHBAHGIB8. 


of Melbourne, headed by my old friend, Commissioner Mor- 
den, whom I had parted with a day or two before in an 
abrupt manner, through the instrumentality of Mad Dick 
and the Manchester Pet! 

“ Hullo, old fellow, is it you ? ” I asked, almost fearfdl 
that he would vanish from my sight. 

The commissioner sprang forward, astonished as a man 
could be. 

“ My God ! ” he cried, “ who is this ? ” 

“ I should think you would ask, for upon my word I hardly 
know who I am.” 

“ Bring hither a glim ! ” roared the commissioner, for it 
was hardly light. 

Murden snatched the torch from the man’s hand, and held 
it to my face, looking at me most attentively, from head to 
foot. At last he seemed satisfied, for ho exclaimed, — 

“ It is he — it’s no ghost, as I thought ! ” 

He threw down the torch, flung his arms around my neck, 
and almost sobbed, so great was his joy at meeting me. 

“If I didn’t think you dead, may I be hung!” blubbered 
the commissioner. “ I don’t know but you are now, but at 
any rate I’ll hold on to you.” 

“ That’s just what I want you to do,” I answered in a 
laughing tone, although I met the officer’s embrace with one 
equally warm. “ Be sure that you hold on to me. In fact, 
chain me as a prisoner, if you think it is best. Only don’t let 
me be spirited off again.” 

“ I’d like to see any one attempt it,” was the reply, in the 
regular John Bull style of contempt for an inferior. “ PU 
blow ’em to pieces if they offer to lay a hand on you.” 

“ I’ve been on the plains and on the hills, night and day, 
since we missed you,” the commissioner said. “ Tell me 
where you have been, and what has happened to you.” 

I commenced, and, in as brief a time as possible, related 
all that had transpired; how Mad Dick and the Pet had 
damaged my head, and my escape by the help of Jenny, and 
then informed the commissioner that a dish of coffee would 
BOt be amiss at that early hour in the morning. Now that 


THE HAUNTED STATION, 


403 


Morden had rescued me, I wondered if we could do nothing 
to save the girl, and capture Mad Dick and the Man- 
chester Pet. They might be at the cattle station, even 
at the present time; and if such was the case, could wo 
not pounce upon them, take, them by surprise, and thus 
restore Jenny to the arms of her father. Sir William Bye- 
field ? I suggested the job to the commissioner, while wo 
were drinking our coffee. < 

“ And can it be done ? ” he asked. 

“ I think that it can.” 

“ How far is it to the station ? ” asked Murden. 

“Hang me if I know. We may be near it, or miles 
from it. Perhaps Maurice knows.” 

The lieutenant was called and interrogated. He knew 
where the “Haunted Station” was located. He thought 
that the distance was about five miles, in a south-west 
direction. I had wandered and crawled so far during the 
night, in spite of my weakness. 

“ But our horses,” said Murden ; “ they are about used 
up ; for recollect, I have been wandering aU over the country 
in search of you, and therefore have had no rest.” 

“ I know a place where there is water and grass, out a 
short distance from here,” remarked Maurice. 

“ Then you had better lead us to it. We will remain 
there all day and recruit, and start in the evening.” 

“ Agreed.” 


CHAPTER LXn. 

THE HAUNTED STATION. NO ONE AT HOME. FSE8B- 

.VEEANCB OF A BLUE MAN. IN SIGHT. 

We found the place where grass and water were to 
be obtained ; so, removing the saddles from our animals, we 
secured the horses in such a manner that they could not 
essape, while at the same time they would have plenty of 


404 


THX BUBHBA17GEBS. 


feed during the day. Then we spread our blankets beneath 
the branches of some trees, and went to sleep just as the 
sun commenced darting its rays through the eastern horizon. 
I did not awaken until afternoon, and then, when I arose, 
more tired and stupid than when I lay down, I found the 
men hard at work over their horses, bathing their legs, rub- 
bing them, down, and otherwise preparing for the journey 
which we were to undertake as soon as the sun lost some of 
its heat, and travel would be safe. 

“ By the way,” I asked of the commissioner, “ what 
became of Sir William and JMr. Brown ? ” 

“ 0, we all went to Bendigo, where we found fresh horses, 
and started out immediately to hunt you up, while Sir 
William and Mr. Brown, with the Bendigo fellows, explored 
a different tract of country, because we hoped that if you 
were dead we could find your body.” 

“ And yet you did not go near the Haunted Station ? ” 

“ No, for I have always given it a wide berth. My men 
don’t like it, and, to tell the truth, I don’t.” 

“I thought that the redoubtable commissioner of Mel- 
bourne was afraid of nothing.” 

“ Alive. I said nothing about the dead. I have a horror 
of being with the dead, or of passing a night all alone in a 
house where a deed of violence has been committed.” 

I did not pursue the conversation any further ; but I mar- 
velled that a man of the commissioner’s nerves should allow 
such matters to have any influence on his mind. It was 
the first time that he had made such an acknowledgment. 

At sundown the horses were saddled, and we were ready 
to start. The night was starlight, although so dark that we 
could not discern an object as large as a man three or four 
rods from us ; so, when we were within a quarter of a mile of 
the station, Maurice checked his horse, and told us where 
we were. The signal to dismount was given, and obeyed. 
The horses were left in charge of two men, carefully con- 
cealed in the bushes, while the rest of us stole forward so 
that we could surround the hut, and if any one was in it 
effect a capture. 


THE HAUNTED STATION. 


40S 


It was a lonely place, miles from any habitation, a long 
distance from road or trail ; and the very ground over which 
we passed had been the scene of bloodshed and violence. 
No wonder I noticed more than one of the officers glancing 
over his shoulder, as though fearful of finding some horrible 
spectre close to his elbow ; and yet all the men in the com- 
mand were of tried and approved courage, and would not 
have trembled at facing any odds. At length Maurice sud- 
denly stopped and whispered, — 

“ There’s the hut ; but you see no light in it. Every glim 
is doused, and there’s no one there but goblins and demons.” 

We will surround the hut,” whispered Murden, while we 
had halted for a moment to consider the best course to pur- 
sue. “ If the brutes are in it, we will nab them ; if they 
ain’t, we will see how long they have been gone, and whether 
they are likely to return. If they come back, we can take 
them.” 

“ Good. Dispose of your men to the best advantage ; but 
mind and let me cover the entrance to the hut.” 

“ All right. It’s just where I should have placed you.” 

The commissioner gave a few whispered directions, and 
the men, in obedience to them, separated, going to the right 
and left, stealing through the bushes with noiseless tread, 
until they had assumed the stations which Murden ordered 
tnem to take. Then we approached the hut, crawling on our 
hands and knees, so that we should not offer a mark for an 
enemy, in case one was concealed behind the walls of the sta- 
tion. We were determined to be cautious in our movements* 
because we knew how much there was at stake, and how 
necessary it was that we should effect the capture of two 
such desperate men, while at the same time I did not want 
a hair of Jenny’s head injured, even by a chance shot. 

We reached the door after some effort, and placed our 
ears to the cracks, to detect the least sound that transpired 
within. All was quiet. No light was visible ; not even a 
breath was heard. With a long-drawn sigh, I was forced to 
the conclusion that Dick and Sykes were not there. Mur- 
den, after he was satisfied that no one was at home, arose 


406 


THB BUSHBANGEBS. 


from his knees and tried the door, determined to make an 
examination of the interior of the hut without a moment’s 
delay. He placed his hand upon the rude latch, and gave 
the rickety door a push. It yielded, creaked on its hinges 
in a doleful manner, as though uttering protests at being 
disturbed, and then we entered the place. I lighted a match, 
and took a hasty survey of the interior of the building. On 
the table was a half-consumed candle in the neck of a bottle, 
some bones, bread, a bit of cheese, and an empty bottle that 
had at one time contained liquor. I lighted the candle, and 
then examined the room where I had been confined as a pris- 
oner. In one corner was a pile of straw, clean, and thrown 
up with some degree of order. I overhauled it, and found 
sundry articles of dress that had been worn by Miss J enny. 
I was folding them up with religious care when that rude 
Murden snatched them from my hands, and looked them 
over, or commenced doing so ; but I could not permit such 
sacrilege, and took them from him by force, and replaced 
the delicate articles of linen where I had found them. 

“ Hang it, man, no harm in what I was doing,” the com- 
missioner muttered, as though he was more than half inclined 
to laugh. 

“ Perhaps not ; but it seems so to me.” 

“ Pshaw ! What a ninny you are ! But hang the soiled 
linen. Let us estimate how long the rogues have been gone. 
Can you give a guess ? ” 

I looked at the bones, and saw that they were compara- 
tively freshly picked. There was no mould on them, as on 
the cheese ; so I arrived at the conclusion that- the game we 
were in search of had not been gone more than six or eight 
hours. But would the parties return ? That was a question 
that we could not reply to ; so, after a few words of consul- 
tation, we concluded to extinguish the light, retire to the 
bushes, fight the mosquitos, and wait a day or two, and see 
what would happen. 

Carefully replacing everything that had been moved, we re- 
treated from the hut, closed the door, and once more gave in- 
structions to the men. They were to lie in ambush until called 


NO ONB AT HOME. 


407 


out, and on no account were to show themselves, make a 
noise, or talk louder than a whisper. Murden and I re- 
tired to a clump of bushes, where we stretched ourselves, 
and conversed in a low tone. Then he entered into the 
most complete details of the manner in which he and IVIr. 
Brown had searched for me, after I had disappeared through 
the agency of Mad Dick and the Manchester Pet. 

“ Sir William was wild about you,” the commissioner con- 
tinued. “ He couldn’t have been more concerned if you had 
been his own son. He almost shed tears when we gave up 
all search for you.” 

I was gratified to hear this, for reasons which the reader 
can readily understand. I loved his fair, but rather coarse- 
talking daughter, and I hoped she had some affection for 
me ; but I was not certain on that point. I could only sur- 
mise that she had some idea of loving me, provided her mind 
was not warped by prejudice. And then we talked of poor 
Amelia, the sister of Smith’s wife. I repeated the account 
of her abduction by Moloch, her sufferings, strength of mind, 
amiability ; and then I touched on her beauty and sweetness, 
and so well did I discourse that the commissioner, to my 
surprise, did not interrupt me. He seemed to listen, as 
though he was really pleased to see me so cheerful. How 
little did I know what was passing in his mind ! and how 
little did he surmise the thoughts that agitated my heart 1 
But at last I fell asleep, even while I was making a compari- 
son between J enny and Amelia. Both were very lovely ; 
but I had my ideas as to which I thought the more entrancing. 
Murden had the same ; but he did not venture to give u?;!:er- 
ance to them. 

I must have slept two or three hours, when I was awakened 
by the cold. I was all of a shiver, for I had lain down with- 
out a blanket to cover me. I got up without disturbing 
Murden, and went in search of some of the men, who, I 
knew, had two or three blankets each. I found them on the 
alert, aizii ready to accommodate me. I took my choice of 
such as I wanted, and returned to my post ; but I was hardly 
settled, when the commissioner was awakened by the samt 


408 


THS BUSEBAKGSBS. 


eanse that had started me. He looked at the blankets that 
encompassed me, shivered with envy and cold, and then 
muttered something about its being a rich thing for one man 
to be warm while another was freezing, made an attempt to 
deprive me of one of my treasures, failed most signally, 
although I pretended I was asleep, and then the baffled 
policeman went off to his men, and had recourse to the 
appeal that I had used. He was successful, of course, and, 
with renewed caution to be vigilant, came back, and went to 
sleep ; but, just as he was dropping off, I heard, or thought 
I heard, the name of Amelia upon his lips. * 

The night passed. Morning dawned, and then up came 
the suu, with all its Australian brilliancy and power. But 
there was not a sign of Mad Dick and the Pet ; and, worse 
than all, I had not seen J enny, except in my troubled dream. 
I was inclined to think the parties had escaped us. I, there- 
fore, was in despair ; but the commissioner, with a tenacity 
that was like John Bull, swore that he would remain in his 
position a week, but he would catch the rascals. 

“ YcSjV he said, “ I’ll have those coves if they come back. 
I want to place Miss J enny in your arms, and then in her 
father’s, and by that time I shall be satisfied. You know 
you are dying to see her ; so what is the use of denying it ? ” 

“ And for the help which you extend to me, of course 
payment is required.” 

“ Perhaps ; ” and then the policeman turned away ; but I 
thought I detected a blush on his weather-beaten cheek. 

To prevent discovery, we moved back into the woods, 
where we could secrete our horses, make fires, and be as com- 
fortable as the insects would permit us. We left one of the 
men in the brush to make observations, and report to us, by 
a peculiar signal, if Dick or Sykes should appear. With 
this understanding, we cooked our breakfast and smoked 
our pipes, lounged under the trees, killed half a dozen 
snakes, and chased as many more, slept, told stories, and 
suffered the day to pass as best we could ; and yet there was 
no sign of the parties we wanted. I grew more and more 
confident that the scoundrels had changed their quarters, 


AN IMPOETANT CAPTUSE. 


409 


tnd Murden was equally sure that they would turn up in 
the course of the day ; and faith, to my great joy, he was 
right, for just about an hour before sunset one of the men 
signalized that something was in sight. 

“Will you go and see what is the matter?” Murden 
asked ; “ and, if there is need of an advance, let me know it.” 

I complied. I worked my way through the brush until I 
reached the spot where the guard was located. He select- 
ed the place so that he could command a good view of the 
front of the station, no one being able to enter it and escape 
observation. 

“ What is it ? ” I asked, as I crawled to his side. 

“ Bee for yourself,” he answered, and pointed in the direc- 
tion of the trail that led towards Bendigo. 

I followed his motion, and saw a one-horse vehicle slowly 
approaching, avoiding the bushes, yet heading for the hut. 
If Jenny was in the wagon, I was satisfied ; and so I sat and 
watched the horse as he crawled towards the station ; and at 
last I was convinced that Dick, Sykes, and Jenny were near 
me, and that the animal that drew them had been driven in 
a most unmerciful manner. 


CHAPTER LXm. 

AN IMPOETANT CAPTUBE. THE PET’s EEGEETS. — JENNl 

AND MAD DICK. 

I WATCHED the party leave the vehicle with jealous eyes. 
First Mad Dick jumped out ; then Sykes followed him in a 
lumbering, heavy way, as though he was too ponderous to 
move rapidly. Mad Dick oflfered his hand to Miss Jenny, 
to assist her in leaving the carriage ; but the proud girl de- 
clined his aid, and I thought that I could see her expression 
of scorn as she pushed his arm aside, and leaped to the 
ground. We were not separated by any great distance, so 


410 


THE BUSHEANIEKS, 


that I could note her handsome face, and almost thought 
that I could see the color of her calm blue eyes. Miss Jenny 
gave her dress a shake, spoke a word to her father, and then 
entered the hut ; while Mad Dick, after a coarse laugh, as 
though he was pleased with her airs and scorn, turned cn 
the poor horse, that was making desperate efforts to nibble a 
few spears of grass, gave him a kick that sounded as though 
an empty flour barrel had been thrown from a window, and 
then swore for five minutes like a pirate of the olden time. 
Sykes made no attempt to restrain his rough companion. 
The former entered the hut, but soon returned with a bottle ; 
and it must have contained liquor, for I noticed that the 
prize-fighter poured out some of the stuff, and handed it to 
Dick. He took part of it, put it to his mouth, threw back 
his head, and then returned the cup to Sykes ; so that I 
imagined that it was empty when it reached the burly ruffian’s 
hand. At any rate, the drink appeared to soften the heart of 
the bushranger ; for he ceased swearing, and even was so 
much mollified that he commenced releasing the poor tired 
horse from the wagon. Then he removed the harness, and 
allowed the brute to stray over the prairie, find water and 
grass where it pleased. 

“ Go back to the commissioner,” I said to the guard, 
“ and tell him that the game has arrived, and that we await 
his pleasure as to an attack.” 

In a minute Murden crawled to my side, and was radiant 
with happiness at the prospect before him. 

“ I thought they would turn up again,” said he. “ You 
know that I told you so.” 

Of course I congratulated him on his forethought, for i 
was too well pleased to utter one word of disparagement. 
Jenny was near me, and I was satisfied. 

“Now the question is,” remarked the commissioner, 
“whether we shall pounce on them at once, or wait till 
they are asleep. If we make a rush, some of us will get 
hurt. If we wait, we may secure them without a fight.” 

“ True; but can’t we play a Yankee trick on them, and 
thus accomplish our purpose ? ” 


AS IMPOBTAin? CArrUBB. 


411 


** I will tell yon. We must induce the fellows to separate. 
We don’t want to kill them if we can help it. Let the hang- 
man do his work on them.” 

Fm willing. State your plan.” 

“ It is this. Let Jackson imitate the bleatings of a calf. 
I think that will call one of the scoundrels to the woods. 
They would like a change from mutton to veal, and if they 
hear the bleating, will think that a good opportunity has 
occurred for substituting one for the other.” 

“We could then ambush the fellow,” muttered the com- 
missioner. 

“ Yes, and serve him the same way that he served me.” 

“ By the piper, but there would be some fun in that ! ” 
returned the commissioner, rubbing his hands with signs of 
glee. 

“ Of course there would. Don’t you think that I want 
my revenge ? ” 

“ And you shall have it. Here, Jackson, let me hear you 
cry as naturally as though you were born a calf. If the ras- 
cals take the bait, lead them to the thickest of the bushes, 
and then we’ll take care of them. I hope that but one at a 
time will come.” 

Jackson chuckled as though he had received a compliment ; 
but after he had become more composed, he commenced 
bleating in such a manner as to win my unqualified appro* 
bation. The cries were similar to those uttered by a youn j 
calf, whose mother had deserted and left it without making 
proper provision for nourishment. After Jackson had ut- 
tered three or four mournful bleats, the two desperadoes came 
to the door, and looked in the direction from whence the 
sounds proceeded. They appeared to exchange words on the 
subject, for we saw Dick point to the bushes, where we were 
going, and then they listened, to be sure that they were 
not mistaken. 

“Keep it up, Jackson,” whispered the commissioner. 
“ They are biting in a beautiful manner. You’ll draw ’ea 
just like a blister, or I’m much mistaken.” 


413 


THE BUSHBAHOEEB. 


Jackiion, still crawling among the bushes, uttered » few 
more plaintive cries. The listening desperadoes seemed 
satisfied that a strange calf was in the brush, and that it 
would pay to capture the same. The question between them 
seemed to be, who should go in search of the animal. At 
last it was decided in favor of Sykes, who was probably more 
tired of mutton than Mad Dick. The giant took a piece of 
harness from the wagon, and strode in the direction of the 
bushes; and as he advanced, Jackson receded, while the 
men glided through the bushes, in obedience to signals, so 
as to be all ready for the assault, when it should be ordered. 
Sykes undoubtedly thought that it would take him but a few 
minutes to return with the prize which he was in search of ; 
but he entered the first line of bushes, and then the second, 
but still the bleating calf was the same distance from him. 
I was near enough to the prize-fighter to see his face ; and I 
noted its expression. He hesitated for a moment when he 
was in the second line of bushes, and looked back, as though 
he was not satisfied to leave the hut. Mad Dick, and Miss 
Jenny without his commanding presence. But another and 
more plaintive bleat of the imaginary calf decided the ruf- 
fian. He thought that a few more steps would not take him 
far from the station, and that he would certainly be rewarded 
for his trouble by having veal cutlets for his supper. Ii 
ten minutes* time, we were a quarter of a mile from the sta- 
tion, and still Jackson kept up the delusion, while the ex- 
prize-fighter was no nearer the sound that lured him on, 
than he was when he started. This seemed to enter his 
thick skull after a while, for he stopped, uttered half a dozen 
imprecations, and turned to retrace his steps. Then Mur- 
den gave the signal to close in upon the man, and secure 
him at all events, but not to use firearms, except all other 
resources failed. Sykes had not taken more than a dozen 
steps, when two stout, active fellows sprang upon him ; while 
at the same moment, two more started up from some bushes 
that were directly in his path. 

The Pet was taken by surprise ; but not so much so as 
to lose his presence of mind. He started back a little. 


AH mPORl'ANt CAmJBE. 


413 


then raised one of his ponderous fists, and planted it full 
in the face of the police officer on the left, while at the same 
time, he shook off the man on the right, and rushed forward 
to encounter the two sturdy fellows who were close upon 
him. At one of them he aimed a blow; but the man under- 
stood something of the art of boxing, and knowing that ho 
could not ward off the huge fist, and that it was dangerous 
to encounter it, dropped to the ground, with wonderful 
alacrity, and thus escaped a bloiV that would have knocked 
him out of time and shape. The force with which the Pet 
struck at the officer, caused him to swerve a little from the 
perpendicular, and before he could recover his former posi- 
tion of defence, the second officer had darted forward, and 
fastened upon the giant, throwing both arms around his 
neck, and hugging as close as possible, so as to avoid a 
blow, or a succession of them, in return. For a moment 
the two men struggled, and but for a moment. The Pet ex- 
erted his huge strength, grasped the body of the officer in 
his immense hands, strained for a moment, and then raised 
his plucky adversary from the ground, and threw him at 
least ten feet, so that he landed in the bushes with a crash, 
as though every bone in his body was broken. During all 
this struggle, the Pet had not offered to use his revolver or 
knife, both of which were in his belt. The prize-fighter was 
so much more accustomed to natural weapons than artificial 
ones, that he had not thought of drawing his pistol or using 
his knife ; but now, when he supposed that all his enemies 
were vanquished, that he could make a rush and escape to 
the hut where he could secure the assistance of Mad Dick if 
necessary, he laid his hand on his pistol, and would have 
drawn it, if Murden had not thought it time to interfere. 
Suddenly the commissioner, who was concealed in a clump 
of bushes near the scene of the struggle, arose, revolver in 
band, and said, — 

“ It’s no use, Sykes. K you offer to draw a pikol, PU 
rheot, and I need not say that my aim is certain. You 
know me. Surrender, and save trouble.” 

1 saw the brutal prize-fighter glare at the oommissioner as 


414 


THE BUSHBAEGEBS. 


though a combat with fists would be desirable ; but the fel- 
low was evidently afraid of firearms, therefore hesitated for 
a moment, undecided what to do. That moment of hesita- 
tion was enough for Murden. Holding his revolver in one 
hand, he advanced towards the Pet, and I thought that the 
victory was won, that the giant would yield ; but I was rather 
disappointed in my expectations. 

“ Come, Sykes, no nonsense. Give up at once, or you 
will miss it. You know me, and know what I want. I have 
force enough to take you, and a dozen just like you.” 

“ Yes, I knows, Mr. Murden,” the prize-fighter said. “ I 
throws up the sponge. I’m knocked out of time.” 

He dropped his arms, in token of submission, and Mur- 
den putting trust in that sign, returned the revolver to his 
belt, and then took a step in advance, as though to put hand- 
cuffs on the fellow’s wrists. Just at that moment, I left my 
place of concealment for the purpose of joining the com- 
missioner, and as I did so, the Pet, with an angry growl, and 
an oath that came from his heart, bounded forward, caught 
the commissioner in his arms, and sought to throw him 
among the bushes. But the commissioner had no idea of 
being treated In such a manner. He was small, but with 
muscle like steel wire ; so when he found the Pet was de- 
termined to be ferocious and treacherous, he just clung to 
him with so tenacious a grasp that he could not be thrown 
off, or even moved, as expected. Sykes strained for a mo- 
ment or two, shook the slight form that he held in his grasp, 
but was unable to injure the commissioner, as he anticipated ; 
and before he could proceed to extremities, I had rushed to- 
wards the parties, and all the men had done the saue, 
determined to save the officer, even if we had to use 
our pistols, although orders had been given against firiig a 
shot. As I neared the parties who were struggling, Sykes 
caught sight of me ; and so great was his astonishment, that 
he dropped the commissioner as suddenly as though he was 
a ball of hot lead, and had burned his fingers. 

“ You here ? ” he roared, and uttered an oath that sounded 
intensely wicked. 


THE PET’S REGRETS. 


411 


“ rm here,” I answered, in a calm tone. 

“ Curse you ; you are my evil genius. I might have known 
that you was here. Hang you, TU finish you, as I ought to 
have done some days ago.” 

He put his hand upon his revolver, intending to add mur- 
der to his other crimes ; but one of the men who was in the 
rear saw the motion, and interfered in time to prevent it ; 
for as the Pet touched the stock of his pistol, the police 
officer struck the giant a savage blow with his cutlass, and 
down he fell, with a gash about three inches long in his skull, 
nearly penetrating to the brain. 

“ Very well done, Sam ! ” cried Murden, in a cheery tone, 
and. with a smile of approval. “ The blow was well struck, 
and just in the right time. The least hesitation at such a 
moment would have cost us dear. Raise the brute’s head, 
and let us see how he fares.” 

They turned the giant, and looked at the wound, and then 
at his face. His eyes were closed, and he breathed faintly ; 
but we were not in the least alarmed for his safety. In fact, 
with a distinct remembrance of the savage blow that he had 
given me, and which had caused me hours of pain, and nearly 
a fractured skull, I did not have much pity for the wretch, 
and was half inclined to feel sorry that my hand had not in- 
flicted the blow ; for I owed him no good will after the treat- 
ment that I had experienced when we met. 

“ Put on the bracelets,” said the commissioner ; “ he may 
be playing ’possum. Bind up his head, some of 'you. So, 
that will do.” 

The Pet opened his eyes when the irons were secured to 
his wrists. 

“ Well, old fellow, how goes it?” Murden asked. “Do 
you feel like making a full confession, and shaming the 
devU ? ” 

“ My head ! ” the giant murmured. 

“ 0, hang your head. We have got other things to attend 
to. If you intend to grumble in this manner, I shall begin 
to think that we have caught the calf which you were in pur- 
suit of.” 


416 


THE BUSHBAHGEBS. 


“ You allers was hard on me, Mr. Mur den,” whined the 
Pet, whose spirit seemed a little dashed by the treatment 
which he received. 

“ Because you never stood up fair and square, and fought 
like a man. You always struck foul blows when it was just 
as easy to have given them above the belt. You furnished 
us with a little information, but you took good care that it 
didn’t amount to much, unless you had a grudge against some 
poor chap. The fact of it is, Sykes, I’ve got enough facts 
to swamp you, and I mean to do it, unless you open your 
mouth on certain subjects.” 

The Pet shut his mouth in a resolute manner, and scowled 
at me as though I was the author of all his misfortunes, and 
then, finding that it did him no good to make faces at me, 
turned to the commissioner. 

“ I s’pose,” he said, “ that I can make terms, even if I 
don’t throw up the sponge ? ” 

“ I know about all that, you know,” the commissioner re- 
joined, in an indifferent tone. “ To be sure, there are some 
things respecting Sir William’s daughter which need clearing 
up ; but as Mother Brown has peached, it don’t matter much 
whether you blab or hold your tongue.” 

“ Curse the old hag ! ” growled the prize-fighter. “ If 
she’d been put out of the way, this wouldn’t have happened, 
and Jenny wouldn’t have knowed no father but me.” 

“ It’s in consequence of your own brutality, you big ras- 
cal,” retorted the commissioner. “ Had you protected the 
woman whom you ruined, you would not now be here with a 
broken head, and a chance on the roads that will require all 
your days to work out. Mother Brown has only acted like 
all human beings — she has turned on the one that spurned 
her, and means to have revenge. I don’t blame her.” 

“ Had we not better postpone this discussion until some 
more convenient time?” I asked. “Already the shades 
of night are falling, and we are some distance from 
the hut.” 

“ Right,” answered Murden. “ We must have Mad 
Pick befors many hours. It won’t do to leave him in the 


KAD DICE MAKES FBOFOSAIS. 


417 


company of Miss Jenny for any length of time. He s a 
dangerous man.” 

When we reached the clearing in which the station was 
located, the sun was down, and darkness had already com- 
menced, so that a person moving through the bushes could 
not be seen unless you were close upon him. I saw a light 
in the hut, and suggested to Murden that we should crawl 
towards it, and see what was going on, leaving the men to 
follow at their leisure. To this the officer assented ; and 84 
we dropped upon our hands and knees, and wen* forward as 
fast as possible until we reached the hut, when we exercised 
more caution, and moved deliberately, until we gained a 
position that enabled us to hear and note all that was going 
on between Dick and Jenny. They were seated at the 
table, the former with a glass of grog in his hand, and the 
latter, looking pale and melancholy, gnawing at a piece of 
braad as though she was hungry, tired, and out of patience. 


CHAPTER LXIV. 

mad dick makes FKOFOSALS. — A SCORNFUL REJECTION.-— 
VIOLENCE. TO THE RESCUE. 

For a few minutes, J enny and Dick, the parties we were 
watching, did not speak. Dick was too much pleased to 
open his mouth, except to receive the liquor which he held 
in his hand, and Jenny seemed too depressed to utter a 
word. But at last the bushranger emptied his tin cup, and 
then remarked, — 

“ Your guv’ner ain’t up to time, lass. If he gets lost in 
the bush, while a lookin’ for that calf, it ’ll trouble him to 
find his way out agin.” 

“ He has been gone long enough to eat a calf,” Jenny re- 
marked ; “ m go and see if I can’t find him.” 

She started towards the door, which stood open, so that 


418 


THE BUSHEANQERS. 


we could see all that transpired ; but Mad Dick sprang u| 
and interposed. 

“ No,” he said, “ yer can’t go now. I don’t care much if 
yer dad is lost, but I can’t afford to lose yer. I loves yei 
too well, lass, for that. Me and you must know each other 
better nor we do now.” 

The impudent scoundrel. I was almost inclined to shoot 
him down like a dog. In fact I did have my revolver all 
ready ; but Murden restrained me, and kept me quiet. 

“ Let me pass ! ” cried Jenny. 

“No, girl, yer don’t pass out of this hut to-night. 1 
wants yer to listen to me ; so yer may as well squat down 
whde I talk.” 

“ I won’t sot down ! ” cried Jenny, in her haughtiest tone. 

“ Yes, yer will, lass ! ” and the ruffian advanced towards 
her, and attempted to throw his arms around her neck ; but 
she retreated, manifesting, however, no signs of alarm. She 
was too proud to exhibit the least weakness. “ Will take a 
cheer ? ” asked the bushranger. 

“ No, I won’t — there now,” was the answer. 

“Yer had better, lass, ’cos I has somethin* to tell yer 
that will make yer think. Take that cheer, and let’s have 
no more fuss about it.” 

“ The governor must soon return,” the girl said, and oast 
an anxious look at the door. 

“ Never yer mind him, lass ; ” and the ruffian commenced 
filling his pipe. “ If he comes I shall cut my yarn short. 
If he don’t I shall jist make them blue eyes of yourn open 
wide. You see if I don’t.” 

Jenny looked a little scornful and incredulous; but stiff 
she had enough of woman’s curiosity to listen. The bush- 
ranger lighted his pipe, and puffed out volumes of smoko ; 
but at last he said, — 

“ Does yer know why yer guVner brought yer here ? why 
he cut from the city ? ” 

“ ’Cos the traps was arter him for somethin’.” 

“ Yes, they was arter him, but it warn’t for no common 
tldng that they wanted to clap their mawleys on him.” 


A SCORNFUL REJECTION. 


419 


J enny looked at the bushranger in an attentive manner. 

“ In fact, lass, it was all on your account that the traps 
took a notion to trip the Pet.” 

“ Mine ! What have 1 done ? ” 

“ You ain’t done much ; but it is all on your account.” 

How?” 

WaD, lass, ye see the Pet ain’t yer guv’ner, and never 
iras. That’s the long and short on’t. You’d know it some 
time, and I may as well tell yer as another.” 

“ What do yer mean ? ” 

“ J ust what I say. The Pet ain’t yer dad, and never was.” 

“ Not my father ? ” 

The girl arose from the table in her excitement, and 
looked at the bushranger as though she would read his soul. 

“ It’s a lie ! ” she said, at last. 

Mad Dick smiled, and still continued smoking. 

“ Yer gov’ner told me the whole yarn, this arternoon, 
while we was waitin’ to pick up a team. It ain’t likely that 
he would lie to me.” 

The girl still continued to gaze at the desperate man, un- 
certain whether to believe him or not. 

“ Yer just set down,” Mad Dick said, “ if yer wants me 
to continue the yarn. Yer will find it mighty funny.” 

The girl sat down, and prepared to listen. 

“ Yes, as I said afore, the Pet did spin the whole yarn 
this arternoon, while we was waitin’ for the wagon what we 
took from the miner, I hinted to him that it was rather 
tough for to i!5an like me to be without a nice little wife, and 
that I shouldn’t object to takin’ a lass like you.” 

Miss Jenny started up, disgus^ and passion on her face 
at the very thought of uniting her fate with such a ruffian as 
Mid Dick. 

“ Keep cool,” the man remarked, and continued to smoke 
in the most placid manner. “ I ain’t got to the most in- 
teresting part as yet. You see, Miss Jenny, I ain’t much 
of a pertic’lar man, so Pd as lives take you, as a gal what 
could do more work. I told the Pet so, and said that I i 
tverlook some things, on account of your mug.” 


4S0 


TUI BUSHBASGKRS. 


** Did yer ? ” and the girl sneered, as she ashed the qnes« 
tion. 

“ 0, yes ; I yarned it quite free with the Pet. He said 
he’d like just such a brave cove as me for a son-in-law ; 
but that the fact of it was, he had no darter to give me.” 

“ He said that, did he ? ” asked Jenny. 

“ Yes. And more’n that; ^cos when I said that I thought 
you’d do, he said you wasn’t no flesh and blood of his — 
that he stole you, when you wasn’t any bigger than a kitten ; 
and that you was the darter of a rich nobleman in hold Hing- 
iand.” 

“ Did he say all that ?” asked Jenny, after a long-drawn 
breath. 

Just as true as anything I ever said,” replied the bush- 
ranger, in a sincere tone. “ He told me the name of the 
nob what is your dad ; but I ain’t got much ear for names, 
and so I disremembers it. At any rate, the Pet said that 
the old cock was in Melbourne, a lookin’ for yer, and a 
huntin’ up things, and that the traps, headed by that blasted 
old scoundrel of a rat, the commissioner, was all ready to 
lay hands on him, if he hadn’t stepped out as he did.” 

“ 0, is that the reason why we left the city so sudden ? ” 
asked Miss Jenny. 

“ Yes, ’cos the Pet wanted time to make terms with the 
nob, and get a big haul of money. He meant to save his 
neck and fill his pockets at the same time. He’s a smart 
one, is the Pet, and can even cheat that confounded Murden.” 

Here the commissioner uttered a grunt of dissent, which 
attracted the notice of Mad Dick, for he sprang to his feet, 
and said, — 

“ Look out; here’s the guv’ner come back, arter all. 
Mum’s the word, yer know.” 

The bushranger came to the door, and looked out ; but 
we had taken the precaution to roll close to the side of the 
hut, where the darkness was so dense that we could not be 
Been. 

Is that you, Sykes ? ” asked Dick, listening for a re- 
sponse. There was no answer. 


A BCOENFUL KEJECTION. 


421 


“ It wasn’t him, arter all,” the fellow said, “ But it’s 
most tim^he come along, if he means to come to-night.” 

After this cool assurance, the bushranger returned to his 
chair and pipe. 

After a silence of a few moments, Jenny looked up, and 
said, “ If what you has blabbed to me is true, just you taka 
me to my new guv’ner, and let me see what kind of a cove 
he is.” 

Mad Dick puffed away at his pipe in a reflective mood. 

“ It can’t be done, just yet, lass. If the Pet shouldn’t 
come back. I’ll think of it,” returned the bushranger. “ In 
the mean time, don’t yer say one word of this ’ere to him, 
’cos he has his plans ; and them ’ere plans ain’t no good 
to yer.” 

“ I don’t believe it,” Miss Jenny cried ; “ you has some 
motive in tellin’ me this.” 

Mad Dick laughed in a subdued manner. Then he laid 
his pipe upon the table, went to a pile of straw in one cor- 
ner, took out a bottle of liquor concealed there, opened it, 
poured out near a mug fuU, and said, — 

“ I gives yer. Miss Jenny, yer ’ealth, and may you soon 
be the affectionate wife of yer ’umble servant. Mad Dick.” 

Miss J enny started to her feet, her face all of a blaze 
with rage and excitement. 

“ How dare yer talk to me in that ’ere style ?” she asked. 
“ Don’t yer do so no more, or I’ll leave the hut.” 

“And where will yer go, my daisy? The natives is 
around ; and if you miss them, there is lots of bushrangers 
to pick yer up. Come, just be a little reasonable, my chicken ; 
and listen to a man what has his ups and downs, as well as 
most folks.” 

“ Well, don’t yer talk to me about such stuff ag’in,” the 
girl remarked, and down she sat. 

The bushranger smiled in a peculiar manner, but did not 
promise that he would remain silent. 

“ Yer see, my deary, that I’se a bad man, as the traps 
says that I is, which don’t signify, ’cos they is awful liars. 
Well, such bein’ the case, what can I do ? I must do the 


423 


TUB BUSHRANQBES. 


best I can ; that is a sound argament, and no one will dis- 
pute it. Wall, what is the best? Let me seefi am a 
houtlaw, and a price is set on my head. Very good. It’s 
some consolation to know that my head is wallable ; but it’s 
worth more to me than it is to any other man. Now, deary, 
listen to me sharp, ’cos here comes the whole pint of the 
argament. I’ve tried bushrangin’. I’ve seen enough of it 
to satisfy most any white man. I wants a little rest, and a 
chance to enjoy the dosh what I has in the ground all over 
the country. Through you I can do it.” 

J enny looked at him with a porter-house glare that re- 
minded me of scenes in the Red Lion, when she and I used 
to quarrel. 

“ Yes, lass,” the bushranger went on to say, not paying 
the least attention to the scowl that passed over the girl’s 
face, “ you is the one that I has set on to help me out of 
the bloody fix what I is in. I didn’t think of such a thing 
till the Pet told me who you was, this arternoon. Then I 
saw a chance for my life, and Mad Dick isn’t the one to 
throw it away.” 

“ What do yer mean ? ” 

“I’ll tell yer, lass, in a few vords. I wants a vife 
to comb my hair and viskers. You is the one for me, 
Yer see, lass, if yer marries me, then I has yer to save 
my neck. Yer tells yer new guv’ner that yer loves me, 
and all that, and that he must use his influence to have me 
pardoned. He docs so on your account, and then I becomes 
a moral and respected member of society. Do yer see ?” 

“ How dare yer make such a proposal to me, when yer 
know that I hate yer ? ” demanded J enny, in a fierce tone. 
“ I wiU remain here no longer to be insulted. Do yer think 
that I would marry such a brute as you ? I scorn and detest 
yer. Never speak to me on such a subject again.” 

“ It’s most time to interfere,” whispered Murden. “ The 
fiend is being aroused. We must be prepared, or harm may 
come to the gal.” 

“ Set down there ! ” said Dick, in a low but threatening 
tone, as Jenny moved towards the door* 




423 


“ Do yer tHuk Fm a nigger, to be talked to in that sort 
of manner ? ” the dauntless girl asked. “ No, Fm no slave. 
Fll go where I please, and for all yer ! 

Mad Dick left his chair and rushed towards the door, 
and so sudden was his movement that he reached it before 
Jenny. 

“ Go back 1 ” he said, in a low, sullen tone. 

“ I won’t,” she replied. “ Fm goin’ to look for tho old 
man. He’ll protect me, even if he ain’t my guVner, as 
yer say.” 

“ Yer can’t leave this hut to-night ; and yer can’t speak 
with the Pet, even if he should come back. Now go and 
take that cheer, and hear me, ’cos yer must be my wife. 
There’s no gettin’ away from it.” 

He put out his hands and suddenly seized Jenny around 
her waist, and pressed her to his rough bosom. She strug- 
gled fiercely to get free ; but the ruffian held her firm, so 
that she could not move her body, although both of her 
hands were at liberty. 

“ Let me go ! ” she said, in a threatening tone. 

“ No, I won’t,” was the answer. “ I likes this.” 

The girl appeared to be aroused to a feeling of despera- 
tion at the answer. She turned a little, so that she could 
use her hands, and then, with a shrill cry, made a dash at 
his face. ' Her finger-nails must have been long and sharp, 
for I saw a few drops of blood follow her savage blows. Two 
or three times the girl drew blood, and at the same moment 
she called tha bushranger all the vile names that a long 
attendance in a beer saloon placed at her disposal. At last 
Mad Dick grew tired of such work, and all the evil of his 
nature showed itself. He put one hand around her slender, 
graceful throat, and hissed, between his clinched teeth, — 

“ Blast yer for a ugly cat, what scratches ! You won’t be 
kind to one what wants to be kind to you. Now take this, 
will yer ? ” 

It was evident at a glance that the man determined to mur- 
der her. He was desperate — mad with her scorn, and ftiri- 
•ufl at the number of scratches she had inflicted upon him. 

15 


424 


THB BUSHBAJ^OEBS. 


“ Help ! ” shrieked J enny, who surmised the man’s inten. 
tion, and had no desire to die just then. 

“ This has gone far enough,” I whispered to Murden ; 
“ it is time for us to interfere.” 

“ Yes, I think it is,” was the answer. 

“ Come,” I said, and arose and stole into the hut. 

I was within two feet of the bushranger, and yet he had 
not noticed me ; neither had Jenny. I raised my pistol, in- 
tending to knock him down with it ; but just at that moment, 
Murdenj'who did not believe in half measures, fired his re- 
volver, placing it close to the side of Mad Dick, so that the 
ball should pass completely through the man’s body. The 
report of the pistol was clear and sharp. The bushranger 
uttered a yell of surprise, released his hold of the girl, 
staggered back a pace or two, and then plunged forward and 
fell to the fioor, and the next instant I received in my arms 
the insensible form of Miss Jenny. 


CHAPTER LXV. 

AGBEEABLE SXJBPBISE. FATHEB AND DAtJQHTEK. — 

THE pet’s BEGBETS. 

The report of the pistol startled the men, who were in 
ambush around the hut ; so they poured into the room in an 
-unceremonious manner, pistols in hand, ready to shoot down 
all who opposed them. The police looked to Murden for 
instructions. They did not manifest the least surprise at the 
scene before them, for they were used to deeds of violence, 
and had seen too much blood flow to care for the little that 
oozed from the bushranger’s body. 

“ Take the fellow up, and carry him out of doors,” said 
Murden — ‘^carefully, for he has some life in him yet.” 

“ Not as much as I desire,” groaned the bushranger. “ I 
tnly wish I was on my feet, without this accursed hole in my 


AH AQHEEABLB SUBPBI8E. 


body, rd serve you a trick that would repay me for all the 
Bufferings I now endure. But Mad Dick’s time is almost 
up, and what ’s the use of his bouncing ? ” 

‘ Take away his knife and pistol,” the commissioner said 
in a sharp tone, for his eye detected a movement on the part 
of the bushranger that appeared as though he was still 
anxious to avenge his injuries. 

In fact, Dick had raised one hand in the direction of the 
butt of his pistol ; and, though the movement was a rapid 
one, the officer detected it. The men obeyed the o-der, and 
Dick submitted without a struggle, for it would have been 
useless in his condition. They bore the man out of the hut, . 
and laid him on the ground, while one of the meu, who un- 
derstood something of surgery, stripped off the bushranger’s 
clothes, and examined the wound by the aid of candle-light. 

“ Well,” said Murden, turning to me, “ do you intend to 
stand there all night, holding the girl in your arms ? It is 
agreeable, I ve no doubt, but still rather inconvenient to the 
lass. I suppose that she would recover in a few minutes if 
placed upon that straw, and her face wet with water. What 
do you think ? ” 

I thought so too ; so I raised her in my arms, and carried 
her to the straw and laid her down, then wet her face with 
water, and at last had the pleasure of seeing her large blue 
eyes open and rest on my face. 

“ Do you know me, Jenny ? ” I asked, in a low tone. 

“ Yes, I know you.” 

“ And are you glad to see me ? ” 

“ Yes, ’cos yer come just in time to save me. But you is 
still with the traps ? ” 

“ Yes, and these same traps saved your life. Remember 
that, Jenny.” 

“ I will.^ Now give me some of that water to drink. 
Yer needn’t keep your arms around my neck; I can do 
without ’em.” 

She wet her lips with water, and then asked, “ What did 
70U go off for the other day ? I don’t like it.” 

“ To save my Hfe. Your father and Mad Dick would 


426 


THE BUSHRAHGEKS, 


have killed me, or kept me in custody as long as they could. 
That is the reason why I went.” 

** You ain’t tcUin* me lies ? ” asked this charming maiden, 
looking into my eyes, as though to discover if I spoke thtr 
truth. 

“ I never tell lies,” I answered, in a grave tone, as if to 
convince her that I was above the common* herd. 

“ 0, don’t yer ? then you is different from other men. I 
s’poscd that all men yarned it a little.” 

“ Then consider me different from other men, now and 
hereafter. Whenever I speak to you, it will be with a 
tongue of truth.” 

“ 0, hang yer sermons. I want yer to tell me how yer 
came here ; you was just in time, wasn’t yer ? ” 

“Yes, thank Heaven. A few moments longer, and it 
would have been too late. The ruffian had determined to 
murder you.” 

“ Is yer really glad that he didn’t ?” asked the young girl ; 
and a look of tenderness shone from her eyes — such a glance 
as I had never seen in them before. 

“ Can you doubt it ? ” I asked in a whisper ; for I did not 
care to have any one hear me when I was in a tender mood. 

“ 0, 1 don’t know ; you coves tell the queerest kind of 
stories sometimes. I’ve heard a good many of ’em. All 
the coves — the flash ones, I mean — what come into the Red 
Lion used to tell me all sorts of nonsense, when Td listen 
to ’em. Sometimes F d hear ’em, and sometimes I wouldn’t. 
It was just as I felt.” 

“ But you will never have occasion to again hear bad 
language.” 

“ Can yer spell all the hard words yer use ? ” asked this 
charming child of nature. 

“ I hope so,” I answered, although I could hardly keep 
from laughing at the question. 

“ Then yer must know more’n my guVner, ’cos ho can’t 
spell at all. But now I think of it, what did Mad Dick 
mean by saying that Sykes wasn’t my guv’ner ? Yer can tell 
me something about it, can’t yer ? ” 


THE EIO) OF MAP DICK. 


437 


“ Yes, I know all about it, and could have told you at the 
time I was a prisoner here.*’ 

“ Why didn’t ycr, then ? ” 

“ For several reasons. You were cross with me, and sus- 
picious at tho same time. If I informed you, I should not 
have been believed.” 

“ I don’t know ; perhaps I should have thought your gab 
was all right.” 

Just then Murden entered the station. He gave us a sharp 
glance, saw that we were quite satisfied with each other, 
whistled a bar of “ God save the Queen,” and then said, — 

“ Dick is gone. He stuck out to the last, and died like a 
bushranger. One fiend the less on earth ; that’s some con- 
solation.” 

“ Is he dead ? ” asked Jenny. 

“Yes; just slipped his cable, and went up. He died 
with a hardened heart ; for although I asked, even begged 
him to tell me where his money was buried, he said that he’d 
see me hung first. And with that he gasped, and went off 
on a new ranging expedition. Well, a man who won’t teU 
the poliee where a treasure is buried will never get to 
heaven ; that is one good thing.” 

“Well,” said Jenny, with a shudder, “though the^man 
abused me, still he had some kindness in his heart, and Fm 
almost sorry that he’s dead. He and the guv’ner was just 
as thick as two thieves.” 

“ Would you like to see Sykes ?” I asked. 

“ Of course I would. Where is he ? Dick said he was 
lost in the bush, while chasing arter a calf.” 

“ He was arrested by the police, while in pursuit of the 
animal, and is now a prisoner. Let him come in, if ycu 
please, Mr. Murden.” 

“ Certainly,” said the commissioner. “ Bill, bring in tho 
Pet.” 

The Pet did not present a prepossessing appearance, for 
the reason that the blood from the cut on his head had 
flowed on his face, and dried there in spots, resembling i 
North American savage in the war path 




THE BU8HSA176EBS. 


You’re the cove what hit me the rap on the head,” tht 
prize-fighter said, as soon as he saw that I stood before him. 

“ No ; I am sorry to state that my hand didn’t do that job : 
but It is some slight recompense for the blow which you gave 
me a few days ago. You remember, do you not ? ” and I 
pointed to my head, which was stiU bandaged. 

The Pet smiled, in a prize-fighting sort of way, as though 
he thought we were even, so far as punishment was con- 
cemed. And then he turned to Jenny. 

“ The traps has me, at last, girl, and I must do the best I 
can. They can’t do nothin’ to you, lass ; so you had better 
go where I told you, and keep quiet till I turn up again. 
They can’t do much with me. They has no proof.” 

“ There is where you are mistaken,” I replied. “ Here is 
the proof,” and I pointed to Jenny. 

“ What does you mean ? ” demanded the bushranger, with 
pretended look of surprise, for Jenny had manifested no 
sign of recognition since he had entered the hut. 

“ It means,” I answered, “ that your crime is discovered, 
and that Miss Jenny is aware of it. Mother Brown has 
made a full confession, in the presence of the commissioner. 
Sir WiUiam Byfield, and myself. The game is up. You 
may as well acknowledge it, and make a full confession.” 

^ The Pet appeared a little staggered at the thought that 
his rascality was known to the girl who had so long called 
him father. ^ He glanced at her, and his face wore an ex- 
pression which showed he was affected. That look touched 
Jenny’s heart, and I was rejoiced to know it, for it proved 
that she had one, tender and true, but that circumstances 
of a peculiar nature were required to bring out the full 
expression. She went towards the Pet, and threw her 
arms around his burly form, — his neck she could not 
reach, — and laid her head against his stout breast; 
and the prize-fighter raised his manacled hands, and 
placed them «n the girl’s head, struggled for a moment to 
control his feelings, found that he could not, and then 
allowed large tear-drops to escape from his eyes, and trioklt 
down his rough cheeks. 


FATHER AND DAUGHTER. 


429 


" It s a pity you couldn’t have had a little feeling some 
fears ago,” the commissioner remarked, thinking that the 
display was a hypocritical one. 

Sykes made no reply. He was not prepared to resent 
such sneers or taunts. He was too much humiliated for 
that. I gave the commissioner a look that he understood, 
and shook my head. He nodded in reply ; and then we had 
the pleasure of listening to the conversation that ensued 
between Jenny and the man she had always known as 
her father. 

“ Well, lass, I is down now, and the traps is up, and it’s 
all on your account. But I loves you, lass, just as well as 
though you was-—” 

The bushranger paused, and seemed reluctant to proceed. 
“I knows what yer mean,” Jenny whispered. “Yer 
ain’t my guv’ner.” 

No, I ain t, lass. I had you took when you was a little 
wee thing, and I has kept you ever since. But I loves you, 
lass, just as well as if I was your own guv’ner.” 

“ Yer havn’t allers been kind to me,*^ Jenny murmured, 
tears streaming down her cheeks, « and yer has sometimes 
made money out of me, ’cos I had a handsome face, and the 
men liked to look at it. Yer knows yer has made ’em drink 
when they didn’t need any more, simply by tollin’ them that 
I should leave the bar, if there wasn’t more calls ; but for 
aU of that, I is sorry to see yer down in the mouth, ’cos I 
kinder cares for yer.” 

I hopes yer does, lass,” groaned the Pet, the tears still 
Ming. 

“ Yes, I does care for yer,” the girl said. “ If you ain’t 
my guv’ner, who is ? ” 

“ I can’t tell yer just yet,” answered the Pet. “ Give roe 
a little more time.” 

“No, she said. “There’s no time like the present. I 
knows most all about it, now. Arter yer was gone for the 
calf. Mad Dick told me some things that caused my eyes to 
vpen ; and then he wanted me to marry him, so that my new 
guv’ner oould save his neck.” 


«80 


THE BUSHSANGEB8. 


“ The scoundrel/* muttered the Pet. “ If Pd been here, 
Fd mashed him. Fd sent him to his fate in no time.” 

“ So you may as well tell me all. Peachin’ will do you 
good.” 

“ You may as well make a clean breast of it,” said I, 
stepping forward. “We know all the means you have 
employed to steal the child, and transport her to Australia. 
Every movement has been traced, every act recorded.** 

“ I don’t promise mercy,** the commissioner remarked. 
“ But still I say, peach, and have done vrith it.” 

“ I know you has been on my track for some time past,” 
the Pet said, in a reflecting tone ; “ but I know’d all that 
was goin* on, and when you got ready to strike, I cut and 
run, *cos I thought I could play shy for a time, and that all 
would blow over.” 

“ You thick-headed fool, what nonsense that was ! ** re- 
turned the blunt commissioner. “ You might have known 
better.** 

The prize-fighter winced a little, but managed to remark 
that all were not so full of science as IVIr. Murden. 

“But that has nothin* to do with my question,** Jenny 
said, in an impatient tone. “ Tell me who my guv’ner is.” 

The Pet gave a mighty gulp, as though something was 
sticking in his throat, and then sighed as he answered, — 

“ Your guv’ner is one of the nobs of old Hingland, lass. 
Me and him was quite intimate at one time. He backed 
me when I fought the British Butcher, and I won that fighi 
arter thirty rounds, what took just two hours and a half.” 

“ I knows all that,” returned the impatient girl. “ How 
many times are yer goin* to tell me of it ? ** 

“ Well, you see, lass, it was a game fight, and made a stir 
in old Hingland at the time. Well, the next fight I had was 
with — ” 

“ Hang your fights 1 WilJ ycr tell me the name of my 
new guv’ner ? ** 

“ I hates him, lass.” 

“ And yet you had no cause to hate him,” replied a deep, 
grave voice, that I instantly recognized, although it fell upon 


FATHBB AND DAUGHTBB. 


431 


my ears so unexpectedly that it startled me as much as if I 
had heard a response from the grave. 

All but Murden were surprised. The commissicuer 
looked as though the interruption was not entirely un- 
expected. We turned to get a view of the new-comer, and 
there he stood, apparently as calm as when I last parted 
from him, his blue eyes looking humid with the emotion that 
stirred his heart to its foundation. The Pet released Jenny 
from his embrace, and staggered back as though a bullet 
had passed through his breast ; but as his eyes fell upon the 
baronet’s face, he exclaimed, in a low tone, — 

“ It is Sir William ! ” 

“ Yes, it is Sir William — the man whom you have so ter- 
ribly wronged, who has been on your track for some months 
past, and who now has evidence sufficient to bring you to 
justice.” 

“ Yes, I has wronged you,” returned the Pet, with an 
averted head, and with a voice that was husky with emo- 
tion.” 

“ And yet I had never injured you, as you well knew,” 
answered the baronet. 

“ You wouldn’t back me when I was tryin* to make a 
match with the Northampton Slasher,” said the old prize- 
fighter, as though that was an excuse for his conduct. 

“Because I had previously informed you I was to be 
married, and desired to break with all my old disreputable 
associates. It was no idle information that I sent. I meant 
it ; and in spite of the efforts that were made to draw me 
back to the vortex of a wild life, I remained firm. This 
you were aware of, and yet you thought that you could strike 
me to the heart by stealing my only child.” 

Jenny started forward, her hands clasped, and her sweet 
face expressing all the internal emotions that she felt. She 
began to comprehend that her real father stood before her. 

“ Yes, I took her. Sir Willianh” the Pet answered. 

“ I know you did, and misery enough you caured a happy 
kousehold by such conduct. Now do what you can in the 
way of restitution.” 


432 


THB BtTSHBAUGEES. 


“ I will, Sir William,” was tho answer, but in a tone thal 
showed that the heart of the Pet was touched. 

“ Then restore to my arms the daughter whom you stole 
from me.” 

“ And if I does, Sir William, will you overlook all the 
faults what I has committed ? ” 

“ I will make no promises. You cannot keep me from my 
child, even if you lie about the matter. I know her, and all 
about her.” 

“ She’s a good girl. Sir William, and can sell more beer 
and make change faster than any girl what I ever see’d. 
She can, indeed.” 

The aristocratic face of Sir William expressed the deepest 
disgust at this information. 

‘‘ I don’t want you to have me up afore the beaks. Sir 
William, on the charge of baggin’ the lass, ’cos I has ailsrs 
treated her well, and she’ll say so.” 

“ Tell me, is this the one whom you caused to be abduct- 
ed ?” asked the baronet, and pointed to Jenny. 

The Pet hesitated for a moment, as though he would like 
to tell a lie if he dared to; but a stern glance from the 
police commissioner decided him, and he answered, — 

“Jenny is yer darter. Sir William.” 

“ I knew it all along,” was the quiet response ; but a deep 
sigh escaped the father as he opened his arms. 

For a moment Jenny hesitated and blushed to her eyes at 
the thought of having a stranger’s arms around her ; but at 
last she rushed forward with a glad cry, and fell upon her 
father’s breast. Sykes uttered a howl and a snivel at the 
sight ; and upon my word I saw tears trickle down his rough 
face. 

“ Gome,” I said to Murden, “ let us leave them alone. 
This scene is too sacred to be witnessed by us.” 

“ Right,” was the prompt answer. “ We’ll go.” 

He touched the Pet on the arm, and motioned to him to 
leave the hut ; and the feUow obeyed, although he uttered a 
sob that seemed to come from the bottom of his heart as 
he did so. Outside of the hut I found camp fires brightly 











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A LITTLE LOVE. 


4d) 

btirning, and a large number of blue-coated police ; and then 
I learned for tbe first time that Mr. Brown and his men had 
arrived in company with Sir William — a fact that was 
municated to Murden when he allowed the Pet to h 
interview with Miss Jenny. The commissioner had 
the surprise ; and an agreeable one it was on some 


CHAPTER LXVI. 

A LITTLE LOVE. — A FEW EXPLANATIONS, AND A TABLEAD. 

In the course of an hour or so, the baronet passed from 
the hut. Murden, who was all attention, went to meet 
him, and proffer his services. To my surprise. Sir William 
put his arm through Murden’s, and walked away from the 
camp fires. 

“ The baronet is growing considerate,*’ I thought. 

I re-filled my pipe, and commenced smoking, wondering 
how Miss Jenny would now deport herself, since she had 
found a new father, and a position in society that might turn 
the brain of many a young and giddy girl. 

“Well,** I sighed, “it’s nothing to me, after all. Her 
father will take her to England, will give her a good educa- 
tion, and then she will be introduced into society as la hellt 
Australienne, marry some one with a title, and forget her 
Yankee friends.** As I thus thought, I looked up and saw 
the girl standing in the door of the hut, as if she wanted to 
speak to some one. I imagined that she was waiting for 
her father, so did not go near her ; but Mr. Brown did, and 
came back saying, — 

“ Deuced pretty girl, ain’t she ? Don’t want to see me 
though. You’re the one. She asked after you, and said 
that she wanted to speak to you. Go and see her.” 

I threw aside my pipe, and went towards Jenny, my 
heart trembling as though it would deprive me of strength. 
It was in vain that I attempted to regain composure. I was 


4S4 


THE BUSHBANGSSS. 


but a coward in tlie presence of that girl, ignorant, yet 
handsome as a picture of the Madonna ; proud as a duchess 
^ she was but a bar-maid ; wilful in her fancies in her 
Mion, what must she be now that she has foimd hcr- 
neiress of one of the oldest houses in England ? 
ughts passed through my mind as I walked towards 
g lady, as she stood in the door-way, shading her 
-h her well-formed hand, so that she could look forth 
jCan the several groups of men who were clustered 
_ ound the camp fires. 

“ Mr. Brown informs me that you wish to speak to me,” 
I said, addressing the girl so unexpectedly that she started 
and retreated several paces into the hut, as though my words 
had alarmed her. 

“ Law, how you frightened me ! ” she said. “ I did not 
know you was so near. Why didn’t yer let me know you 
was cornin’ ? ” 

“ You might have known that I would come if you sent 
for me,” I remarked, in a low tone. 

“ Would you ? Indeed ! Well, I’m glad to hear it. But 
come in. I want you to see me, now I am a great lady. 
0, Tve had such a long palaver with my new guVner. He’s 
ever so good, and he kissed me every time I made a mistake 
in talkin’. What do you think of that ? ” 

“ I should like no better privilege,” I answered, with a 
low bow and a smile. 

“ Jest like yer impertinence. You ought to be ashamed 
of yerself, that’s what yer had.” 

“I don’t think there is much cause to be ashamed of 
kissing a pretty girl,” I remarked, in a jesting tone. 

“ Did you ever kiss one ? ” hliss Jenny asked. 

“ Yes, several.” 

*• Then let me tell you they was mean things, and that 
if I ever see’d ’em, Td scratch their eyes out. I don’t want 
any more to say to yer.” 

She retreated into the house, and would have shut the 
door, but I followed and prevented her. 

“Ah, but let me explain, Miss Jenny. It waa before I 


A LITTLE LOVE. 


481 


hAd the pleasure of your acquaintance that I kissed the 
young girls.” 

“ I don’t care ; it was a mean piece of business, and you 
had ought to be ashamed of yourself ; that’ s what you had.” 

“ But listen to me for a moment ! ” I cried. “ While I 
was kissing them, I thought I was kissing you.” 

This appeared to confound her, and she seemed not to 
know how to construe my words. At last she said, — 

“ If you liked me you wouldn’t have kissed the mean 
things.” 

“It is because I wanted some one to love that I kissed 
them. Now you should be satisfied.” 

“ Well, won’t you make such a mistake again ? ” the 
young lady asked, as she turned her diamond rings, which 
glittered on her fingers, and then stole a look at my face, 

“ How can I tell ? I must have some one to love.” 

“ Well, haven’t you got some one ? ” and the large blue 
eyes were raised to my face with a look that expressed sur- 
prise. 

“ No, Jenny, no one.” 

She hesitated for a moment, and then took a step towards 
me, and held out her hands, while by the poor Hght which 
the candle gave, I noticed that her face, so beautiful at all 
times, in anger and repose, was suffused with blushes. 

“ Then you don’t care for me, do you ? ” 

She laid her hand on mine, and looked up in my face with 
an expression that an angel might have envied. 

“ I do care for you, J enny,” I said ; and there I stopped. 

“ Well.” 

My declaration did not seem to satisfy her. Her face ex- 
pressed a wish for more forcible language. 

“ Well,” she repeated, and seemed to wait for something. 

“ I can’t speak to you now, Jenny, as I could have spoken 
vO you had your father been other than he is. It is useless 
for me to tcU you the feelings of my heart,” 

“ I don’t know about that. If you tell me how much you 
like me, it seems to me that it would be pleasant sort cf 
gab. Come, go ahead.” 


4S6 


Tins BUSHBANaXSS. 


She came close to me, so close that her red lips were 
rery near mine, and I felt the sweetness of her breath as it 
touched my cheek. It was rather a tempting position for 
a young and enthusiastic admirer of beauty ; but I managed 
to control my feelings, as I asked, — 

“ What would you have me say, Jenny ? ” 

“ Say what is next to your heart,” she whispered. 

“ I dare not. Better that I keep silent.” 

“ Wby ? ” and her large blue eyes were opened to their 
widest extent. 

“ On account of your position in life, since you have 
found a father.” 

“ 0, gammon ! ” she cried, in a petulant manner. “ I’d 
rather have a husband than a father. I’ll go ten to one on 
it. You can’t kiss a guv’ner likes what you can a lover.” 

WHbat could I do or say after such a blunt speech ? It 
was evident that she expected a declaration ; and was I 
ready to make one ? I felt her breath fan my cheek, while 
her red lips were advanced an inch or two nearer my own, 
and one of her hands found its way around my neck, and 
the other rested on my shoulder ; and then a pair of blue 
eyes, the handsomest the world ever saw (I thought so at 
the time, and even at the present moment I have my ideas 
on the subject), were raised in such a beseeching, seductive 
manner, that all my self-control vanished in an instant, and 
I found that I was but a poor, miserable mortal, after all, no 
more capable of withstanding the blandishments of a hand- 
some girl, than a hungry man can refuse food when it is 
offered him. In an instant my stout arms were around her, 
and she was clasped close to my heart, while on her red lips 
and beautifully formed mouth I rained down kisses, the first 
that I had ever taken, and the sweetest that I ever knew. 

At length, after I had kissed her a dozen times or more, 
I began to realize what I was doing ; therefore was inclined 
to pause ; but the little jade nestled closer, and whispered, — 

“Don’t throw up the sponge jist yet. Fm game to the 

«et.” 

What a horrid way to express her feelings, and to tell me 


A FEW EXPLANATIONS. 


4S7 


that she was not tired of the caresses which I bestowed apon 
her ! But I was too much in love to think of her words just 
at that present time. I only thought of her handsome face, 
and the remarkable change in her manner. But all things 
must have a termination ; and so at last Jenny raised her 
head from my shoulder, and asked, — 

“ Do you love me ? ** 

Yes, I have loved you for a long time, although I wu 
hardly conscious of it.” 

But I mean, do you love me as a wife should be loved ? ” 
“ Yes.” 

Then you may have me ; ” and the enthusiastic young 
lady threw her arms around my neck, and put up her lips to 
be kissed. 

“ But you forget that you have a father, who may enter 
his protest against the arrangement.”^ 

“ I don’t care if he does. I likes you better than I does 
him. If he ain’t satisfied with the match, he needn’t bet on 
it. I stake everything, and run all risks. Don’t I ? ” 

“ Yes, you encounter some risks, for you have not been 
acquainted with me more than two months.” 

“ Well, I’m certain that you is a gentleman ; that you’ll 
treat me well, and won’t love any body else but me.” 

“ And what will you do to insure all this ? ” I asked, with 
a smile at her earnestness. 

“ 0, I’ll go in trainin’,” was the prompt answer. 

“ Do what ? ” 

“ Why, I’ll make myself worthy of you.” 

“ How?” 

I began to see that she had more character and more 
feeling than I gave her credit for. 

She raised her head from my bosom, placed both her 
small, delicately shaped hands on my shoulder, and said, — 

“ You see I ain’t had no advantages, don’t you ? ” 

“ I fear that such has been the case.” 

“ You must see it, ’cos a bar-maid don’t know muon 
except how hard most men drinks.” 

** But I think that most men drink very easy.” 


THE BUSH&iLNGJS&S. 


i38 

“ Don’t blab just now, but just listen to me,” the young 
girl said. “ I never had any lamin’, of any account, and 
now is the time I miss it. If I only knew ever so much, I 
should be more happy, ’cos you would love me more ; so if 
you want me, you must promise me one thing.” 

“ I win promise you most anything you ask, Jenny.” 

“ That’s right. Now hear me. My new guVner wants me 
to return to England with him ; but I told him I couldn’t, 
’cos I liked you better than I did him. He cried when he 
heard this, and said that he’d only found a child to lose one.” 

“ No wonder he shed tears.” 

“Well, you know, I was sorry for him, and I said so ; and 
I told him that I would do most anything to make him 
happy ; and on that, he again axed me to go to England 
with him and see my mother.” 

“ And what answeir did you give him ? ” 

Jenny laid her face against my heart, before she replied, — 

“ I said I’d go, if he’d take you too.” 

“ And what did Sir William reply ? ” 

“ He asked me if you had spoken to me about love, and 
all that ; and if you had, at what time.” 

“ And what did you say to that, Jenny ? ” and as I spoke, 
I held the sweet girl close to my breast, for I saw the drift 
of Sir WiUiam’s questions, and dreaded her answer. The 
baronet evidently thought that I was a fortune-hunter, and 
had made love to his daughter after the secret of her birth 
was discovered. 

“ 0, I told him that you had loved me ever so long (and 
you have, hain’t you ?) but that you had never spoken a word 
about it.” 

“ Such an answer,” I thought, “ must disarm all his sus- 
picions.” 

“ Did I speak right ? ” and the sunny face was lifted to 
mine. 

“ Quite right, Jenny. But tell me what else he said.” 

“ O, I don’t want to ; ” and she made a feeble effort to 
hrist herself out of my arms ; but I held her fast, so that she 
lould not move. 


▲ new KXPLAif ATioirs. 


4S» 


“ Tell me,” I whispered, and kissed her. 

** He asked me if I loved you ; ” and the fair face was 
once more buried in my bosom. 

“ And what was your answer, darling ? ” 

She raised her head, and looked me full in the face, with 
her large blue eyes, so full of truth and sincerity, that I 
eould not doubt but that it was satisfactory, in every respect. 

“ What would you give to know ? ” whispered Jenny. 

“ A kiss ; ” and I bestowed a hearty one upon her sweet, 
red lips. 

“ You won’t laugh at me ? ” 

“ Not a smile shall be seen on my face.” 

“ Well, I told him that I had always loved you and hated 
you at the same time.” 

She was serious enough now. 

“ I don’t understand you. Explain to me how such feel- 
ings could exist.” 

“ Well, when you first came to me, I took a shine to you, 
and liked you, till the old man said you was a perlice spy ; 
and arter that, I hated you and loved you at the same time. 
Now, do you understand ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ And — and you love me a little, don’t you ? ” and the 
round white arms were thrown over my neck, and that hand- 
some face was pressed close to mine. What man, with blood 
in his veins, could have remained in a quiescent state, when so 
much beauty was near him ? I could not ; so I proved it 
by catching her in my arms, and holding her in a close em- 
brace, until she begged me to release her, for fear of suf- 
focation. 

“ Then you do love me ? ” she whispered, as soon as sho 
sould speak. 

“ Yes, darling, most dearly.” 

“ And you don’t want me to go to England ? ” 

“ No, not unless I go with you.” 

“ 0, that would be so nice ! How happy we should be I 
You could learn me how to talk, and lots of things I know 
IM>thing about, couldn’t you ? ” 


440 


THE BUSHBAHGEBS. 


I smiled and nodded. 

“ Then ” — and the handsome face assumed a determined 
expression — “I shall tell my new guv’ner that TU stay here 
with you ; and when you go, I’ll go.” 

“ Gently, darling ; your father is a very proud man, and 
must be approached with caution. He is aware that I love 
you, and have loved you for some time. I will speak to him 
on the subject, and see what he thinks. We must not let 
him suppose that his child cares nothing for him ; that would 
mortify him exceedingly.” 

“ Well, but you know I love you,” in a petulant tone. 

“ I hope that you do ; and to secure it, I must win your 
father’s respect.” 

“ I don’t see what he’s got to do with it,” pouted J enny. 
“ If he likes me he must let me have my own way. When 
I tell him that I want a husband, and that you are the man I 
have picked out, he musn’t make any objection. If he does, 
I shan’t love him.” 

“ Be governed by me in this matter,” I whispered, and 
kissed away the frown that was gathering on her brow; for 
I may as well own it. Miss Jenny had a will and temper of 
her own, having been unchecked all through her childhood. 

“ I will ; but remember. I’m not to leave you. If they 
offer to send me to England without you, there’ll be a row, 
and a jolly one at that, I can tell you.” 

I soothed her in the best manner possible, and at last 
obtained her consent to remain passive for the present, or 
until I could sound Sir William on the subject that was 
nearest my heart. I had but half accomplished my purpose, 
when Sir William entered the hut, after his long conversa- 
tion with the inspector. 

“ You here ? ” he asked, in a tone of some litUe surprise, 
when his eyes fell upon me. 

“Yes, I have been conversing with Miss Jenny,” I 
answered. 

“ Indeed.” 

The baronet’s face expressed a little annoyance. J enny 
telegraphed me with her blue eyes to communicate the sub- 


A TABLEAU. 


441 


i 

ject nearest to my heart ; but I signalized her to bu silent 
for a while. 

“ 1 suppose the poor child is tired, and desires to retire,” 
hintei Sir William. “Her accommodations are not on a 
very grand scale, nor such as a baronet’s child should have, 
but I think she can endure them for one night. Here, my 
poor child, let me overhaul this straw, and see that no insects 
are concealed in it.” 

As he spoke, he took the candle from the table, and 
approached the straw, where the young lady had made hei 
bed for several nights past. According to aU rules of good 
breeding, I should at that moment have retired from the hut, 
and closed the door, so that the father and daughter could 
have been together, and exchanged such confidences as they 
pleased ; but somehow, I was forced in a measure to remain 
where I was, although I could not account for the circum- 
stances. I knew that I was offending, but I silenced all 
scruples by attributing my feelings to love for the handsome 
young lady, who was holding the candle while her father 
stirred up the straw. Suddenly the baronet uttered a star- 
tling exclamation, and jumped back ; and as he did so, I saw, 
by the aid of the light, a glittering- coated, hissing little 
snake dart through the air and strike for one of the fair, 
round arms of Miss Jenny. Heavens ! how the blood 
rushed to my heart, and then receded, leaving me faint and 
cold, with the perspiration oozing from every pore of my 
body, so great was the shock to my system ; for, as I looked, 
I saw the snake, a reptile not more than ten inches long, 
with spots on its back and sides, of a bright orange color, 
while its belly was of a creamy white, fasten upon the deli- 
cate arm, and then endeavor to enfold it in its embrace. 
The brave girl uttered a piercing shriek, and turned as pale 
as death ; but still she did not drop the candle, nor faint, as 
many young ladies would have done. After she uttered the 
one shriek, she turned her eyes on me, and murmured, — 

“ Save me, if you love me ! ” 

That appeal restored me to my senses, and once moro 
fondered me firm and determined. 


443 


TBM BUBHSANaMBS. 


CHAPTER LXVn. 

JL UTS FOB 1. UFE. 

As far as Sir William was concerned, from the time that 
he saw the snake, until it darted from the straw and seized 
upon the arm of his child, he had displayed a most shocking 
want of presence of mind ; for he could only clasp his hands 
and tremble while he looked, not moving one step^to kill the 
reptile and save the child. With no thought for myself^ I 
rushed forward, seized the little reptile near its neck, tore it 
from the arm upon which it had fastened, and then dashed 
it upon the floor of the hut, and ground it to pieces with the 
heel of my boot ; and not until the last quiver left the snake’s 
body did I turn to J enny, and just in time to catch her in 
my arms, for she had fainted. 

“ My poor child,” moaned the baronet ; “ she is dead, 
she is dead ! Give her to me.” 

I did not notice the arms which were outstretched for the 
purpose of receiving the young girl. 

Man,” I said, looking up for a moment, and speaking 
slow and determined, “ if you would save your child, do as 
t bid you.” 

“ Yes, yes, m do anything.” 

“ Quick, then, bring me a bottle of brandy, which you 
mU find on the table in the other room. No words, but go.” 

Sir William hurried from the apartment, and while he was 
gone I tore a handkerchief from Jenny’s neck, fastened it 
just above where the snake had inflicted its poisonous bite, 
tying it so tight that the blood could not circulate in the arm^ 
causing the poor child to moan, even in her death-like faint, 
and almost unmanning me for the task which I knew was 
before me. By the time this was completed. Sir William 
had returned with the bottle of liquor. As he handed it 
to me, I caught a brief glance at his face. It was pals 
as death. 


A Line rOE A LOT. 


441 


“ Chti you save her ? ” the unhappy father demande 4. 
ileaven has her in its keeping,” I answered, in a solemn 
tone. “ We will hope for the best.” 

1 poured a few spoonfuls of the liquor through the clinched 
^ teeth of the girl, and it was so strong that it caused her to 
gasp for breath, and show signs of reviving. Then I ex- 
amined the wound in the arm ; and I looked at it most 
anxiously, and with a heart full of apprehension. There 
were the marks of two small teeth, perforations not larger 
than the point of a darning-needle, red spots that would 
hardly have been noticed were it not for the swelling just - 
around them — a swelling that seemed to grow larger and 
larger each moment, and to turn black as they increased 
in size. Heavens, what agony I experienced, as I looked 
at the fair round arm, so soon to be drawn out of all shape, 
and become a bloated mass of corruption I for the girl 
had been bitten by one of the most poisonous reptiles in 
Australia. There was but one way to save her, or rather to 
attempt to save her, for without assistance death was certain 
in less than an hour’s time. But if I saved her life, I run 
some risk of losing my own ; for I encountered much dan- 
ger in showing my devotion. 

“ Can she be saved ? ” gasped the baronet. “ Do give 
me some hope.” 

“Hold the candle for one moment,” I replied. “If she 
is to be saved, time must not be lost.” ■ 

He took the light with a trembling hand, but did not 
remove his eyes from the pale face of his insensible child. 
Hastily I swallowed a mouthful of brandy, and then with a 
hope that He‘»ven would support me, and save us both, I ■■ 
applied my lips to the wound. Sir William uttered an ex- 4 
elamation of astonishment. Ho now began to comprehend ^ 
me, and to understand how much I was willing to sacrifice 
for the sake of his child. I pressed my lips firmly to the | 
spot where the snake had inserted its teeth, and then 
attemnted to suck the poison from the wound. Every i?' 

moment or two I would cease my labors and eject the saliva 1 

kom my mouth. I forced more liquor down the girrs ^ 

•I 


444 


THE BUSHBAHOBB8. 


throat, and at last had the pleasnre of seeing her opea 
her eyes. 

What has happened she demanded. “ Have I been 

dreaming ? *' 

“ Drink,” I said, and placed the liquor to her lips. 

“ It scalds my mouth,” she replied. 

“ I am sorry, but you must drink.” 

“ For what reason ? ” 

I could not tell her ; but I pressed her in my arms, and 
let a tear drop on her face. 

She looked up in a startled manner. 

“ Ah, now I remember,” she cried ; and a shudder passed 
through her frame. “ I shall die.” 

“ No, dear, you must live for your father’s sake.” 

“ I had rather live for yours,” she replied. 

Sir William uttered a sob ; but the girl did not heed him. 

“ I don’t like to die yet, when I have learned to like 
you, and to expect your love in return. 0, I cannot give 
you up.” 

“ Courage, darling. I hope there will be no occasion to 
despair. Swallow the liquor, and attempt to compose your 
feelings.” 

She took a deep drink of the strong brandy, and then 
closed her eyes. In the mean time I stole a look at the 
wound on her arm, which I had kept wet with the liquor. 
To my intense joy, I saw that the swelling had not in- 
creased ; that it was not near so black as when I had first 
attempted to suck the poison out of the bite. From that 
moment a feeling of hope arose in my hear£, and encouraged 
me to persevere. 

In a few minutes Murden and Mr. Brown, who had been 
informed of Jenny’s accident, entered. Their faces were 
full of anxiety and trouble, for they feared the worst. 

“ For God’s sake, what does all this mean ? ” demanded 
the commissioner, kneeling by the girl’s side, and taking one 
of her little hands, on which sparkled two or three diamuna 
rings, reminding one of the vanities of this world, and itkt 
vnoertamties of the next. 


▲ LITE FOB A LUX 


iih 


1 informed bim in a few words. 

** But why was I not told of this as soon as it occurred 
Mr. Brown asked, in an excited manner. 

I pointed to the remains of the snake, which had been 
gathered up\ and were lying in a heap in one corner of the 
room. The commissioner shuddered as he looked, then 
eagerly felt of the girl’s pulse. 

“ It is the most venomous snake in the country,” whis* 
pered ; “ yet she is alive.” 

“ Yes.” 

The commissioner appeared more and more astonished. 

“ I will send an express to Bendigo for a physician. We 
must save her.” 

He started up to despatch one of the most trusty men and 
fleetest horses, but I detained him. 

“ It would consume twenty-four hours to obtain a physi- 
cian from the city,” I remarked. 

“ Well, what of it ? ” 

“ Only this,” I whispered in his ear ; “ she will be out of 
danger, or death will ensue long before that time.” 

“ True ; I had forgotten the nature of the reptile.” 

He examined the arm long and earnestly, and then glanced 
ap with an assuring face. 

“ There ain’t the least trace of poison here,” he said. 

“ In the name of Heaven, say that again ! ” cried the bar- 
onet, springing forward, and placing a hand on the officer’s 
ihoulder. 

“ I repeat it ; there ain’t the least sign of poison here I ” 
Mr. Brown cried in a positive manner. 

“ What do you judge from ? How do you know ? ” I 
iskcd, trembling with hope, for I thought considerable of 
Mr. Brown’s judgment. 

“ In the first place, Tve seen several people after they ' 
were bitten by these pests of the bushes — more dangerous 
han escaped convicts, and more efficient in keeping the raiks 
)f the latter thin, than all the policemen of Melbourne.” 

** Or Bendigo,” echoed Murden, who thought &at a re* 
Jection was ini ended. 


446 


THE BU8HEANGEB8. 


Mr. Brown did not notice the interruption. He con- 
tinued : “ Tve seen men, after they were bitten by thoit 

spotted imps, swell up until they nearly burst. I have 
also taken particular notice of the wounds made by the teeth, 
and I never saw one that looked like this — never.” 

He held the candle close to the white arm, and lo, and 
behold, there was not a particle of swelling to bo seen ; the 
inflammation had left, and the black blood had disappeared. 
Sir Wiitiam uttered a cry of joy, and then threw himself on 
his knees by the side of his daughter. 

“ Darling ! ” he cried ; “ do you know me ? Do you feel 
any pain ? Speak to me.” 

Jenny turned her eyes, now wearing a peculiar look, upon 
the baronet, made an effort to speak, but no sound issued 
from her lips. So once more she closed her eyes, and only 
by her slight breathing did we know that she was alive. 

“ 0, my God ! ” exclaimed the distracted father ; to 
think that I should find her only to lose her. Speak to me, 
my child — only a word to say that you love me.” 

It was with much diffiottity that Jenny managed to open 
her eyes ; but they were void of expression, and glassy ; 
not radiant with looks of love and happiness. For one mo- 
ment she allowed her glance to rest on our faces ; then, with 
a hiccough and a sigh, she said, — 

“ Don’t bother me — let me a-l-o-n-e.” 

“ She’s dying ! ” and the baronet wrung his hands as ho 
uttered the words. 

I bowed my head, and attempted to conceal the scalding 
tears that fell from my eyes. Never had I loved Jenny so 
well as at that moment, when I was like to lose her for- 
ever. Guided by impulse I could not control, I pressed mv 
lips to the young girl’s ; but as I raised my head, expecting 
to hear an indignant exclamation from Sir William, I noticed 
that Jai^kson had seized the bottle containing the brandy, 
and was in one comer of the hut, pouring it down his throat 
with wondertul gusto and rapidity ; delighted to think that 
BO one was interfering with his actions. I was about to call 


A LIFS FOB A lAFB. 


447 


Murdeu^s attention to the matter, when Jenny nestied in m;^ 
arms, and murmured, interrupted with many a hiccough, — 

“ Close the Ked Lion ; it’s time to go to bed. You get no 
more swipes h-C-r-e ; now I tell you ; so start your stumps.” 

Mr. Brown had the cruelty to laugh at this incoherent 
speech. I gave him a glance that I meant should freeze his 
soul, and compel him to ask a thousand pardons for his in- 
discretions ; but, to my surprise, the man did not seem to 
be any the less jolly than before I looked at him. He stooped 
down and put his hand on J enny’s pulse, and for a moment 
felt its beating. Then he asked, — 

“ How much brandy did you pour down the lady’s throat ? ” 

‘‘ About two thirds of a tumbler full,” was my quiet answer. 

Humph ! not even a giant could carry such a load. The 
girl is not dead in one sense, but she is dead drunk in 
another.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” we all asked, surprised and in- 
dignant. 

“ Just what I say. There is no poison in her system, and 
consequently the liquor has acted on her brain, and intoxi- 
cated her. Or else the brandy counteracted the poison, and 
then seized upon the blood, and is feeding on it. At any 
rate, the result is intoxication. I don’t understand the 
but be assured there is no longer any danger. If the 
poison remained in her system, the brandy would not have 
affected her in the least. I’ve seen it tried in the bush at 
least a dozen times, and never knew it to fail.” 

“ Perhaps we owe her life to this young man, after all,” 
Sir William said, assuming a composure he hardly felt. 

“ /ou certainly do, if he gave her the liquor,” muttered 
Mr. Brown. 

“ not on that account ; for before the brandy was ad- 
ministered, he applied his lips to the wound, and attempted 
to extract the poison.” 

“ And he did it ! ” cried Mr. Brown, with enthusiasm ; 
“ although I would not have risked it. However, he loves 
the girl, I suppose, and was willing to sacrifice his life to 
•ave hers. If he escapes, he deserves her.” 


<48 


TH8 BUSHBAJTGBBS. 


“Take yer noise out of the Ked Lion,” muttered Jenny, 
who seemed to be dreaming of her bar-maid days. 

Sir William did not reply to this blunt speech ; but I sa^f 
that he was in a reflecting mood. 

“ Come,” said Mr. Brown, after a moment’s silence, “ make 
un the girl’s bed, and let us leave her alone. She will come 
out all right by morning.” 

As the advice was sensible, — for it was now evident to all 
of us that Jenny was under the influence of liquor, and 
tnerefore needed rest, — we spread some blankets on the 
straw and made as comfortable a bed as possible. When we 
had prepared everything, and were ready to leave the hut. Sir 
William said that he would remain and watch by the side of 
his child all night, and let us know if there was any change 
for better or worse. 


CHAPTER LXVm. 

A PErVATE CONPEEENCE. — A PLAIN TALK. A STEEN 

EEPUSAL. 

Upon awaking at daylight I saw Sir William standing 
over me. I thought that Jenny was worse, so sprang to my 
feet, anxious and trembling. 

“ She is dead,” I said, thinking of the snake bite, and 
the condition in which I had left her the night before. 

“ No, my friend, she is safe. She is out of all danger, and 
now sleeping off the effects of the liquor which she imbibed. 
Come with me. I wish to talk with you before breakfast, 
and on matters of importance. Can you spare the time? ” 

“ Certainly, sir.” 

I shook myself free of the blankets, and arose ; following 
tne baronet to the edge of the woods, where we could con- 
verse free of interruption. 

“ Sit down,” he said. “We may as well be at our ease.” 

Down we sat on some dried grass, first stirring the ground, 
•o that we should not sit on an satkill; and then I awaited 


A PRIVATE CONFERENCE. 


Ite communication which the baronet had Uv make. It was 
some time before he uttered a word ; but at Ui it he turned U 
me, and said, in a most abrupt manner, — 

“ You love my daughter, do you not ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ How long has this passion lasted ? ” 

I thought I detected a sneer in the tone in which the ques- 
tion was asked ; so I continued : — 

“ Ever since she was a bar-maid at the Red Lion.” 

The baronet, proud of his name, his wealth, and position 
in life, felt the shot that I had directed, and it made him 
quiver and flush like a newly-fledged lawyer rebuked by 
the bench for indulging in flights of fancy not i a accordance 
with the rules of the court. 

There was another pause. The baronet appeared to be 
concentrating for an attack. At last he opened his battery. 

“ Have you spoken to the young lady on the subject that 
if so near your heart ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ May I inquire when such conversation ensued ? ” 

“ Certainly. As her father, I have no wish to conceal 
anything from you,” 

Sir William bowed, as much as to say, ‘ That is quite right 
and proper.” I continued : — 

“ Last evehing, when the lady was rescued from a most 
perilous position, and fell into my arms. After she revived, 
she spoke her sentiments quite plainly, and I replied to hei 
at some length.” 

“ And will you be kind enough to give me -he gist of 
your reply ? ” 

“ Certainly. I said that she had a father who must be 
consulted on all that related to her welfare.” 

“ Very proper language. What was her answer to that ? ” 
I looked at the man for a moment, and saw that he had 
assumed a manner that was offensive in the extreme. In an 
instant all my pride was aroused, and I determined to pa^ 
him baik scorn for scorn. 

“ You will excuse me, Sir William,” I returned, “ if J 


150 


THE BU8HBANGBRS. 


decline to answer sueli direct questions. The lady has re. 
posed some little confidence in me, and I am not the person 
to violate it.” 

I saw an angry fiush mantle his brow ; but he did not 
burst out in a torrent of passionate reproaches, as I expected 
he would. He had a purpose to accomplish, and he kept it 
view. 

“ Of course, when you spoke to the honored scion of the 
house of Byefield, you knew that she was an heiress ? ” 

This made me mad. I could not contain myself. 

“ The honored fiddlestick,” I replied. “ The young lady 
is charming, illiterate, brought up in the most menial of em- 
ployments, and has no more idea of your position in society 
than a bushranger. Do you suppose that I would marry 
her for your money, or that I would take her at any rate 
jnless I thought I could improve her mind. Limited as 
my sphere is in the world, I should blush to ask your child 
to enter it unless she would resolve to learn new habits and 
ideas.” 

“ But you are willing to admit that the lady is capable 
of great improvement under proper training and discipline ? ” 
“ Certainly. She has a strong and active mind, and 
would apply herself to learning with remarkable enthu- 
siasm, after she once saw the necessity for it.” 

“ I am glad that you admit so much. Now for my con- 
clusions. She is the heiress of an old and honored house ; 
yet, in her present state, she would do neither me nor my 
wife much credit if we should introduce her to the circle 
which she is destined to adorn. Two years of careful in- 
struction would give her such advantages that any nobleman 
in the land would be glad to aspire to her hand.” 

“ I do not doubt it,” in a cold, calm manner. 

“ Well, such being the case, do you not think it would be 
folly 0 a her part to bestow her hand on you ? — a fine, gen- 
erous fellow I admit, but still not her equal in position or 
fortune. Come, answer me frankly,” 

“ 1 will, as frankly as you have spoken ; and I hope that 
fou will not be offended if I talk rather plainly.” 


A ^RIVATli CONFERKNC*. 


451 


“ Of course not.” 

“Well tioii, let me revert to yours ilf, and contrast youi 
position with mine, and see which deserves the most praise 
for character. You were born to inherit a title and a for- 
tune, were you not ? ” 

“ Certainly. The Byefields came in with William the — ” 

“ Never mind particulars. Being placed in so favorable 
a position, you had the advantages of wealth to secure an 
education.” 

“ Of course. I went to Cambridge.” 

I did not heed the interruption, but continued : — 

“ I had no great advantages of wealth, and spent but a 
year at Harvard College. To pay for the same, I earned 
money in various ways ; yet after I left college, I did not 
disgrace my name, and that of my family, in the way you did.” 

The baronet almost sprang to his feet, and his eyes flashed 
fire, so indignant was he. 

“ Do you mean to insult me ? ” he demanded, in a voice 
that trembled with rage. 

“ Such was not, and is not, my intention,” I returned, in 
BO calm a manner that the baronet resumed his seat, and 
apparently made up his mind to hear me. 

“ Listen to me patiently,” I said. “ You have had your 
Bay ; now give me mine. I intend to prove to you that an 
American sovereign is fully equal in position, if not the 
superior in some respects, to an English baronet.” 

Sir William drew a long breath, and motioned for me to 
go on. I should have continued to speak my thoughts with- 
out such encouragement, for I had got started, and was 
bound to free my mind, at aU events. 

“Yes,” I resumed, “I worked hard for a livelihood 
from the time that I was able to work, until within a few 
years ; and during that period I committed no act that my 
ancestors would have disapproved of, could they have been 
allowed to revisit the earth, and take part in the affairs of 
.ife. But how was it with you ? ” 

Sir William looked as much as to say, “ Well, what i 
kt diiving at now ? ” 


(52 


n 

“ Yes, while I was 
were doing all in your 

tion. The lowest cha. , , - 

associates; and yon at . ^ ^ 

fighters, dog-fanciers, I : 

position to which you had been born. Dome, tell me wnicn 
has the best record to show, as far as youth is concerned.” 

“ You don’t understand that my position — ” 

“ I understand all that you would say on the point. Pray 
let me continue to the close.” 

“ Your argument is not a good one ; but go on ; I will not 
interrupt you. My money — ” 

“ Can your money secure exemption from just censure for 
crime ? or can your title protect you, and make virtues out 
of vices ? Poor as I have been, I never yet stooped to the 
company of a prize-fighter.” 

“ But you associate with police officers, and think nothing 
of shooting a bushranger.” 

The baronet thought that he had hit me hard ; but I did 
not think so, and thus answered him : — 

“ The police officers of Victoria are a bold, independent 
corps of men, honorable in most respects, risking their lives 
for the sake of freeing the country of dangerous characters, 
never hesitating to relieve when they see distress, and always 
ready to assist women in their peril. Such are the men 
with whom I associate ; and I leave it to you to say whether 
they are not superior to such vile brutes as the Pet, whom 
you made a companion of.” 

The man winced a little when I mentioned the promptness 
with which the commissioner and his men avenged injuries 
inflicted upon women. He knew that the night before. Mad 
Dick had fallen by Murden’s hand, because the bushranger 
had oAFered violence to Miss J enny ; but, Englishman-like, 
he was not disposed to give credit to any one for a noble 
act, now that he was in an argumentative mood. 

“ But you don’t under^ta^id that the customs of Great 
Britain sanction a little wilicess on the part of a rich 
young man.” 


A rXAIlf 'JrALlL 


459 


“ Yes, I understand all that, hut must contend that the 
man who would turn t3 prize-fighters, instead of intellectual 
training, must be incapable of sound judgment and moral 
observation.” 

Thunder ! how mad the man was ! He sprang to his feet, 
his face expressive of the utmost rage ; but all such mani- 
festations did not alarm mo in the least. I had determined 
to prove to him that I could return scorn for scorn, insult 
for insult ; conciliation, I found, only placed me in a false 
light, and gave the baronet a pretence for trampling on me, 

“ Do you mean to deliberately insult me ? ” the baronet 
asked, as soon as he could recover his breath. 

“No, I wish to speak plain with you.” 

“ Mighty plain you have spoken, I must say,” muttered 
Sir William. “ You mean that I shall understand you, at 
all events.” 

“ You have spoken your mind, and why should I not do 
the same ? This interview would have amounted to nothing 
unless we understood each other.” 

“ Do we now comprehend each other’s meaning ? ” asked 
Sir WMliam, in a tone which showed that ho desired to be 
comprehended. 

“ I think we do.” 

“ Please to name some of the important points we have 
touched upon.” 

“ Certainly ; it is best we understand each other. In the 
first place, you do not think it any honor for me to unite my 
fate with your newly-found daughter.” 

Sir William bowed. 

“ Because you desire that she shall contract a marriage 
frith her equal, or a superior.” 

“ Yes, such is my intention at the present time.” 

“ And you do not intend to let her have a voice in the 
premises ? ” 

“ She does not know her own mind.” 

- 1 think that she does, and that you will find it out before 
many days.” 

“ But I trust that you will do nothing to incite her to 
lisobey my oommande.” 


454 


THE BUSHRANGERS, 


“ Sir William,” I replied, “ I am a gentleman, anl levei 
associated witli members of the prize-ring.” 

I thought for a moment that he would seek to punish me 
for the speech ; but he choked down his rage, and said, — 

“ I pardon all your rudeness on account of the treatment 
which you extended towards my daughter.” 

“ I am glad that you have a memory,” I replied. “ During 
our conversation I thought that you had lost all that you 
ever possessed.” 

No, sir ; I know how to be grateful, as you shall dis- 
cover. I have money, and will reward you for all that you 
have done.” 

“ Keep your money,” I returned, with such a gesture of 
contempt that the baronet actually blushed, and looked un- 
comfortable. “ I have no desire for any part of it. I have 
more than I know what to do with.” 

“ But I wish to show you gratitude for the care you have 
taken of my daughter. Remember, last night you risked 
your life for hers.” 

“ And would again, because such is my nature ; but don’t 
talk to me of your gratitude, for you don’t know what it 
means.” 

There was a moment’s silence. I still remained on the 
grass, plucking it up by the roots, and throwing it into little 
piles, while Sir William was on his feet, stamping about im- 
patiently, and evidently desirous that the interview should 
terminate, for he had played his best card, and felt that he 
had lost the game ; that he had not satisfied himself or my 
honor by the words which he had uttered. At last the bar 
onet turned his back upon me, walked off a dozen steps or 
so, and then returned to my side, as though one more effort 
was to be made to appease my wounded pride. 

“ Let me ask you to pledge your word that you will make 
no attempts to hold converse with my daughter, unless with 
my consent. Do this, and I will part with you as one of my 
best friends.” 

“ I make no promises to a man who has changed so much 
as you have within the last twenty-four hours. 1 sbaU 


A 1»LAIK TALK. 


451 


neitKer seek nor avoid your daughter. If she comes near 
tie, I will talk with her, and tell her vhy I am so apparently 
indifferent to her charms. It is but right that I should do 
this, after what has passed between us.*’ 

“ Let me beg you to assume all the blame — to tell her 
that you don’t care so much for her as you did a few days 
since.” 

“ I shan’t do any such thing. I won’t lie to her to please 
you or any other person.” 

“But consider, my dear sir, how hard it is to lose a 
daughter’s love after you have gained it — after you have 
been years without it,” 

“ Nonsense ! ” I replied ; “ it is not near so hard to lose 
as a lover’s. Your sacrifice is nothing compared to mine.” 

The baronet turned away from me impatiently, and walked 
towards the camp. I followed at my Ici.sure, but encoun- 
tered Murden and Brown, who had seen me with the bar- 
onet, and suspected what our conversation had been about. 
As Sir William entered the hut where Jenny was housed, 
the two officers fastened upon me. 

“ Is it all settled ? ” asked Mr. Brown. “ When is the 
wedding to take place ? Give me an invite, won’t you ?” 

“ If you get her,” said the worldly-minded Mr. Murden, 
“ it will be a great lift to you in the social scale.” 

“ Social fiddlestick ! ” ejaculated the blunt Bendigo police- 
man. “ Isn’t he as good as she is, for all of her blood and 
beauty ? ” 

“ But still you know she has rank through her father and 
mother,” urged the commissioner.' 

“Well, how did she rank before Sir William picked hsr 
ap ? ” asked Mr. Brown. 

“ Rather low,” was the honest confess! m. 

“ And if our friend had married her, not knowing but 
that the Pet was her governor, what should you have said ?” 

“ That he had made an ass of himself.” 

“ Plainly ; and I should have said the same, and I don’t 
know as I shall alter my opinion even now, if he takes the 
Wdy for a wife.” 


456 


fHK BUSHEAN0EK3. 


“ There’s not much danger,” I remarked ; “ Sir WiDiam 
has asked me to relinquish all claim, and even offered me 
money to do so.” 

“ Did you knock him down ? ” demanded the impulsive 
Brown. 

“ Did you explain who you were, and how much money 
you were worth ? ” inquired the cautious Murden. 

“ Neither.” 

‘i-Then what in heaven’s name did you do?” both men 
demanded, in an eager tone. 

“ Why, I did nothing, except to tell him that I was as 
good as his child, and that I should not dishonor her by 
marriage.” 

“ Good for you,” was the answer. And then I repeated 
% portion of the conversation which had ensued between Sir 
William and myself. 

Both of my friends were somewhat indignant at the treat- 
meut which I had received ; and yet Murden was not entirely 
^.prepared for it, as he informed me that Sir William had 
wnversed with him on the subject the night before, — had 
askbd many questions as to my past history, and the reputa- 
tion which I sustained, and seemed a little disappointed that 
all that was uttered was so much in my favor. 

“ I tell you what ’tis,” said Mr. Brown, “ if you want the 
girl and she wants you, just take her, in spite of the father. 
Hang me if I won’t help you.” 

Murden shook his head. 

“ Better have the consent of the baronet,” the cautious 
commissioi^er replied. “ Keep cool, and I think it can be 
obtained.” 

“ Hang the baronet ! ” the impatient Mr. Brown ex- 
cUimed. “We can’t afford to wait his motions. Run off 
with the girl, and marry her in spite of him. If that won’t 
do, rU let some of my men play bushranger for a short time, 
and take the young lady in spite of the father. Blast it, 
we’ll manage some way, you see if we don’t. Your friends 
won’t desert you in this hotu of need.” 


A STEBN BSFUSAL. 


457 


But, to Mr. Brown’s astonishment, I declined all such 
assistance. 

** No,” I said ; “ if I marry the young lady, it must bo 
without force and violence. She must come to me and say 
that my life is as valuable to her as her own, and that with- 
out me nches and station were useless.” 

. “Mighty exacting I” muttered Mr. Brown, who did not 
like such a cool way of reasoning. “ The girl won’t think 
you have much love for her unless you are warmer.” 

“We shall see,” I replied. “ I only want a chance to 
speak to her while we are on the march, and I think that I 
shall be able to set matters all right.” 

“ 0 , you shall have chance enough this forenoon,” both 
my friends remarked. And then we proceeded to get break- 
fast, which was awaiting us. 

Miss Jenny joined us, looking a little thin and pale after 
her night’s suffering. She was rather inclined to be moody, 
or sullen, as though something had been said to her that she 
did not approve of ; yet, the instant I bade her good morning, 
she looked up, ran towards me, and threw her arms around 
my neck. 

“ You saved my life ! ” she sobbed, “ and I’ll never forget 
you. No, never ! I had rather have you than all the men 
in the world.” 

“ Pretty little dear ! ” muttered the sentimental Mr. 
Brown, almost scalding his mouth with hot coffee ; “ what 
.a shame to part ’em ! ” 

“ Such a fine couple ! ” Mr. Murden remarked, with a 
glance at Sir William’s face, as though he was fearftd of 
taking too great a liberty with such an eminent man. 

Compliments did not soften the baronet’s heart. He put 
211 arm on his child’s shoulder, drew her away, and said, — 

“ Your breakfast is waiting, my dear. Better think of 
liat at the present moment. You need it more than such 
Vinsense %s you have just exhibited.’* 


TH* BUSHRANQEKS. 


45S 


CHAPTER LXIX. 

OK THE TRAMP. — A WONDERFUL LAKE. — A WARM 
RECEPTION. 

At da3^1iglit the police commenced saddling their horses, 
jind packing their effects, and by eight o’clock we were or 
our way to Bendigo, by the way of Smith’s farm, where we 
meant to stop all night, and part of the afternoon, in case 
Miss J enny should exhibit signs of fatigue ; and I thought 
that she would be likely to. 

For the first hour wc passed over the prairies without ex- 
changing a word, each officer being occupied with the thought 
that it was decidedly ungrateful on the part of Mad Dick to 
die in such a hurry, and leave no sign behind him as to the 
exact section of the country where his treasures were buried. 

“ Yes,” said the commissioner, who was riding by my 
side, in moody silence, suddenly awakening to life, “I’U 
never forgive the fool — never. He might have made us 
happy, if he had had only a little common sense. I didn’t 
ask much from him, and the least he could have done would 
have been to make a sign. But he’s gone, and with him all 
knowledge of his money. It’s a shame — a swindle — a 
cheating of honest men out of their rights. But what could 
you expect from such a low-born villain ? ” 

“ Mankind is pretty much alike,” I replied. “ Peer or 
peasant, they all look after their own interests before taking 
care of their neighbors’. You would do the same thing; 
80 don’t preach.” 

“ I don’t intend to ; but you know it was mighty aggra- 
vating on the part of Dick ; now wasn’t it ? ” 

I admitted that it was, although I hardly knew what I was 
saying, for my eyes were dii-ected towards Jenny, and I saw 
by her motion that she wished to speak to me. But the 
baronet kept close to her s*.de, and did not seem inclined to 
budge an inch, much as I desired him to. 


459 


OH THE TRAMP. — A WONDERFUL LAKE. 

“ Are you dying to bill and coo a little ? ” asked Mr. 
Brown, with a knowing smile. “ 'W’ell, you shall, because 
she’s a mighty handsome girl, bright enough to turn the 
head of any young fellow with a fancy for a pretty face.” 

“ Cease your bantc-ring, and give me the opportunity you 
said that you would,” I replied. 

“All right. Just see how Fll do it; keep your eye on 
me, now.” 

He feU back a little, and beckoned to Jackson. For a few 
moments the commissioner and his man whispered to each 
other, and then Jackson trotted to the front, and Mr. Brown 
once more joined me. I knew that some plan was on foot, 
but asked no questions, content to wait developments. Jack- 
son rode far to the front, then suddenly wheeled his horse, 
and came towards us on a run. 

“"What’s up ?” shouted Mr. Brown, as soon as the man 
came within hail. 

“ Nothin’ perticular, sir ; only if you wants to sec one of 
the wonders of Australia, now is the time.” 

“Hey? T\Tiat is that?” asked Sir William, suddenly 
interested, and for the moment forgetting Jenny. He called 
her by the name by which she was christened ; but I ignored 
it, and stuck to “ Jenny,” as most familiar. Ho touched the 
horse which he rode, and left J enny’s side. Mr. Brown winked 
in a peculiar manner, and continued to question Jackson. 

“ What is the wonder you speak of, Jackson ? ” 

* 'I'be Devil s Lake, sir. You must have heard of it, sir.” 

“ Of course I have. Who has not ? How far is it from 
here ? ” 

“ About four miles, sir.” 

“ And pray what kind of a lake is the Devil’s Lake ? ” 
asked Sir William. 

“ J ackson can tell you,” was Mr. Brown’s answer. 

“ Sure, sir, it s a lake that is all covered with salt during 
the dry seasons, and in it you’ll sec lots of alligators, wedged 
in as though in pickle, and not a bit can they move till the 
rains come. It’s funny to see ’em.” 

“ Is it possible ? ” asked Sir William. “ I never heard 
ef such a thing. Did you ? ” 


460 


THE BUSHKANGEKS. 


He forgot himself for a moment in turning to speah to 
me ; but not waiting for an answer, continued to address 
Jackson. 

“ Tve seen the lake many times/* the man said, in a sober 
tone. “ Every nob who travels this way takes a squint at it.” 

Sir William looked a little irresolute ; but the next words 
of Jackson decided him to go. • 

“No man ever seed such a sight but once in his life- 
time,” Jackson continued. “ Them *ere alligators is wedged 
in the salt just as though it was marble, and there *cm lays 
all the summer, winkin* ’em eyes, and carin’ no more for a 
man than a ’sketer.” 

“ Will you go with me and see this wonderful lake ? ” 
asked the baronet, turning to Mr. Brown. 

Mr. Brown said that ho would ; and after whispering the 
following words, he called to four of his men to accompany 
him, and left us. 

“ Now, old fellow, go in and have a good time. Talk to 
J enny as much as you please, and if you don’t win her to your 
way of thinking, I shall believe that you don’t care for her. I’ll 
keep the old nob at a distance till after you arrive at Smith’s.” 

He galloped off, and was soon lost to view among the 
bushes. Then I wasted no time. I dismounted from my 
horse, threw the bridle to one of the men, and took a seat 
by the side of Miss Jenny, in the miner’s cart, disturbing 
her reverie by the suddenness of my appearance. 

“ My goodness, where did you come from ? I thought 
you’d forgot me.” 

“ Your father says that I must forget you, Jenny,” I re- 
plied, meeting the glance of her mild blue eyes with one of 
such sincere admiration that the girl blushed, and attempted, 
in a playful manner, to rap me on the knuckles with the 
handle of the whip which she carried. 

“ Did my new guv’ner say that you couldn’t have me ? ” 
asked Jenny, desisting from her rapping project, and looking 
a little sorry because she had started the skin from my hand. 

“ Yes ; we had a long talk this morning, and he informed 
me that you were above me in station, and I must not t.iinlr 
more of you.” 


INrEBVIEW WITH JENITT. 


46 \ 


^ 0, gammon ! ” was the cry. “ He knows better than 
that. He said somethin’ like it to me, but I stopped him 
by jest tellin’ him that I was a poor ignorant girl when you 
fast made love to me, and that I wasn’t goin’ to throw you 
aside now that I was somethin’ better than a bar-maid.” 

“ He will neT er listen to my prayers,” I said, in rather a 
despondent tone. “ His pride is too great to permit him to 
look upon me as a son-in-law.” 

“ Hang his pride ! you is better than me, anyhow ; now 
ain’t you ? ” 

I shook my head. 

“ You know it’s so, for I can’t talk like you, and you 
would never have thought of me if I hadn’t had a decent 
face. Now ain’t it so ? ” 

“ I tell you what it is,” Jenny continued, in a glow of delight 
at the prospect before her, “ if the guv’ner is stiff and won’t 
back down, we can make a livin’ in Melbourne by openin’ a 
porter-house. I can tend bar, and force the customers to 
drink when they has had enough.” 

“ O, Jenny, Jenny ! ” I cried, “ God forbid.that we should 
be reduced to such a strait. I would rather see you in a 
coffin than behind a bar.” 

“ I shouldn’t,” was the prompt answer. “ I don’t think 
rd look so handsome in a box as I would behind a bar. 
Besides, you wouldn’t love me half as well dead as alive. 
You know you wouldn’t. Men never do.” 

“ Perhaps not, but still I don’t think you will have occasion 
to hand around beer and pipes to blear-eyed customers. I am 
able to support a wife if I am fortunate enough to find one.” 

“ And do you still feel that you want me for a wife ? ” 
asked Jenny, laying one of her hands on mine, and looking 
in my face with a glance that told of affection, confidence, 
and love. 

“ Certainly I do.” 

“ With all my bad ways, all my ignorance ? ” 

« Yes.” 

“ Well, then, you shall have me, in spite of guv’ner and 
all his yarnin’. PU marry no one but you. But — ” 


463 


THE BUBHRAKQERS. 


“ But what ? ” 

“ You must let me do as I please till Fm married* 
Afterwards I s’pose you’ll want your say/* 

1 did not contradict her on that point. 

“ One thing more.” 

“ Yes, let me hear it.” 

“ You knows I ain’t fit to be your wife just now, don’t you ? ** 

I looked at her in surprise, and wondered what she meant, 

“ You see, I ain’t never had no edication, and that’s what 
I wants most of all. I can be as good as you, and sich com- 
pany as you would want. You needn’t shake your head ; you 
know you’d be ashamed to introduce me to your friends 
now ; wouldn’t you ? ” 

“No, Jenny.” 

“ I knows better, ’cos once or twice you has said some- 
thin’ to me about my bad grammar — just as though I knew 
what you meant. But it showed me that I did not talk 
straight, and I want to learn, and I will learn.” 

I waited for her to conclude her remarkable statement, 
for it proved to me that she was much farther advanced than 
I imagined her to be — that she possessed solid sense as 
weU as great beauty. 

Now don’t you think that it would be a good thing for 
me to learn a little arter I was spliced, or afore I was spliced?” 

“ I should rather commend such an idea,” was my reply. 

“ Then we think alike on that point. Now for my plan. 
Arter the guVner says I may have you, Fm goin’ to school 
a year or two.” 

“ And leave me ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ But that is hard and cruel.” 

“ Well, we’ll manage so that we can see each other every 
two weeks. I studies one or two years in some seminary — 
there’s one jest near Melbourne, where any gals is took in 
and boarded all the time they is there — and then I gets 
some knowledge of books, and music, and other things, and 
has a course of study marked out for me, so that I can learn 
all the time arter I has left school. Now, ain’t that good ? ” 


A WAKM kJtCKFTiOH. 


463 


“ Yes, as far as it goes. But how can I spaie you fot 
Buch a length of time ? ” 

“ ^Tiy, you goose, don’t you see me once in two weeks by 
such an arrangement ? ” 

“Yes, but that is small in comparison to seeing you t 
dozen times a day.” 

“ Ah, but think of the object of my exile. It’s to be 
worthy of your love.” 

I glanced around, and saw that none of the men were look- 
ing in our direction, and then I plucked the freshness from 
a sweet mouth ; and J enny uttered a sigh of satisfaction 
as I did so. I was just about to repeat the exploit when 
Murden rode up. I wished him far away, but still had to 
tolerate him. I believe that he saw me kiss Jenny, and 
was determined to interrupt me in the business, fearing 
that I was progressing a little too fast. 

“ Ahem ! ” he cried ; “ it’s growing a little warm. Don’t 
you think so ? ” 

I understood him. Sir William might find out that Jack- 
son had humbugged him, and so return and put an end to 
our pleasant chat. 

“ Trot ! ” shouted Murden to his men ; and on we went, 
as fast as I could urge the horse that was attached to the 
wagon. 

For an hour or two we dashed on, raising great clouds of 
dust in our course, causing the animals to foam and pant 
under the heat, until at last we began to notice evidences of 
cultivated soil, civilization, irrigation, and broad pastures, 
xn ten minutes after making this discovery we drew up 
before Smith’s house, with a cheer that brought all the 
inmates to the door in double quick time, rather astonished 
at the noise we made. I looked up and saw the grinning 
face of Hezekiah Hopeful, my partner, the jolly phiz of 
Smith, and the pale, sweet countenance of Amelia, the young 
lady who had received such barbarous treatment at the hands 
of Moloch, before we were able to rescue her, and punish the 
villain as he deserved. Amelia did not remain more than a 
iecond or two at the door. She gave one hurried glance ; 


464 


THB BU8HEANQBBS. 


Ker eyes met mine, and then she vanished from sight, and 1 
saw nothing more of her till towards night. Hopeful uttered 
a shout of joy, and rushed towards me. Smith rubbed hia 
hands and laughed ; then, inspired by a bright idea, seized 
his baby, which was in his wife’s arms, kissed it until it cried 
in terror, and then returned it to the lady, and rushed out 
to welcome his friends and the company. 

Hardly had I set foot to the ground before a solid body 
dashed against me, nearly overturning me in its struggle to 
reach my face. It was my brave dog. Rover, that I had not 
seen for a week or two, and now was testifying the joy he 
felt at the reunion. Mrs. Smith welcomed Jenny to the 
hospitalities of her house with a kindness and tenderness 
that placed the girl at ease at once ; while the police, who 
knew how to procure comfort at a cheap rate, fed their 
horses, gave them water, rubbed them down, and then began 
to look after provisions for their own stomachs. Miss Jenny 
was treated by the hostess to a bath, clean linen, and a fresh 
muslin dress ; and when I saw her, after she had under- 
gone some changes, I thought that I had never seen so 
handsome a girl ; but before I had opportunity to teU her 
that such was the case, and to prove it to her by word of 
mouth, I heard a voice in the yard, and looking out, I saw 
Sir William, Mr. Brown, Jackson, and the four policemen, 
all of whom had been in search of the wonderful lake, which 
Jackson was certain “ laid off that there, a little ways to the 
right.” 


CHAPTER LXX. 

A WONDEBITTL LAKE. THB QT7ABTZ CBTTSHEBS. — A 

SEPARATION. 

Sir William did not look remarkable for his good nature 
as he dismounted from his horse and entered the house, fol- 
lowed by Mr. Brown, the inspector. 

“ I hope you enjoyed your visit to the * Devil’s Lake,’ Sir 


THB DEVIL’S LAKIL 


49S 


William,” I said, as the frowning man entered the room 
where Jenny and I were seated. 

“No, sir, I did not enjoy it,” was the curt answer. 

“ May I ask the reason why ? ” 

“ Yes, sir, you may. The wonders of the lake have bees 
greatly exaggerated. I saw nothing remarkable about it. 
There was a mass of mud, and a mass of salt ; but not an 
alligator to be seen, nor any appearance of one.” 

“ The fact of it is,” said Mr. Brown, “ Sir William feels 
that he has been imposed upon by a traveller’s yarn, and 
that he has wasted time in going out of the way.” 

Sir William disdained to answer, or to bandy words on 
the subject. He sat down by the side of Jenny, put his 
arm around her waist, and kissed her. 

“ My dear child,” he said, “ I hope to place you in a dif- 
ferent position, in a few days, where you will be surrounded 
by members of your own sex, and no longer exposed to the 
wandering life which you have witnessed for the last fortnight.” 

As this was intended as a hint, I gave Mr. Brown a wink, 
and left the room, the commissioner following me ; but as I 
closed the door, I heard J enny say, — 

“ I don’t want to have a lot of ugly old women round me, 
and I won’t — there, now.” 

“He’ll have some work to tame her,” muttered Mr. 
Brown. “ She’s got a will of her own ; now ain’t she ? ” 

We met Smith and Hopeful in the front yard. They 
were relating the trials which they had experienced in 
moving the crushers and steam-engine ; so I hdfd to listen to 
their account of the journey, the hardships which they had 
endured ; how their teams broke down, their oxen strayed off 
at night ; how some of their men deserted ; and a number 
of other matters that a lover is not supposed to care about. 

“ And now,” inquired Hez, “ whar do you suppose the 
engine is?” 

“ On the carts,” I answered, at random. 

“ No, sir, it’s on the ground, at the foot of Quartz Hill ; 
and in two or three days we can fire up and see what the 
rock«> la made of, and how much gold there is in ’em.” 


466 


THK BUSHSANGERS. 


I was rejoij^d to hear that such was the case. 

** Yes,” said Hez, “ we has worked rather spry, all thing* 
eonsidered. I has hired six men to help us get out the 
quartz, lug wood, and do other work ; and I has stowed ’em 
all away in the cave. You remember it, don’t you ? ” 

Should I ever forget it ? Had I not been a prisoner in 
that cave, surrounded by ferocious bushrangers, and saved 
from a violent death by the aid of Mother Brown ? 

“If you have time, we might ride over there this arter- 
noon, and see how things is working,” Hez said. 

I was about to reply, but Mr. Brown said, — 

“ Of course, I shall be delighted to go. We have time 
enough. We don’t move from here till to-morrow. Come, 
m find fresh horses.” ^ 

Off ho went, levied on some of Smith’s animals, and first 
making Murden promise that he would keep Sir William and 
Jenny at the station until we returned, started across the 
country on horseback, reached the cave at three o’clock, saw 
that the men were laying a foundation for the engine and 
crushers, cutting wood, while two experienced miners were 
wheeling huge blocks of quartz, the sides of which were 
speckled with flecks of gold. 

“ It’s just the richest vein that I ever worked on,” one of 
the miners said. “ There’s a mine of goold in this ’ere hill. 

I only wish I had a -claim here, and the tools to work with.” 

Mr. Brown was delighted and astonished at the evidences 
of wealth that were around us. On the whole, I was well 
satisfied with what I saw, and what had been done, and so 
rode back to the farm house. ^ 

“ Hopeful,” I said, as we neared the house, “ how do you 
stand towards Amelia ? ” 

My friend colored a little, and did not look towards me as 
he replied, — 

“ Wal, the fact of it is, I rather thinks I loves Martha 
Poland better nor ’Mealy.” 

“ Indeed ! When did you arrive at such a conclusion ? ” 

“ 0, this forenoon, I guess.” 

“ How does it happen that such is the case ? ” 


AMELIA’S DISMISSION OE HEZ. 461 

“Confound it! yeou is miglity inquisitive ail at once," 
retorted Hopeful, with a guilty laugh, his plain face suffused 
with blushes. 

“ Of course I am when your interest is concerned.” 

“ Ahem — wal, then, if you must know, I don’t mind tellirf 
yeou that me and ’Mealy had a talk to-day, afore you got 
along, and she said that — 0, go long; I ain’t goin’ to 
tell yeou.” 

“ Yes, you will ; go on.” 

“ How curious you are ! Wal, then, she said that she 
should aHers like me as a friend, and all that, but I hadn’t 
better think of her no more as a lover.” 

“ Did she mean it ? ” 

“ Wal, I guess yeou’d have thought so if yeou had seen 
her face. I tell you she was in arnest, if ever a gal was.” 

“ I am glad to hear it.” 

“ Yes, ’cos you want her yourself! ” cried the blunt son 
of New Hampshire. 

“ There is where you wrong me, Hez. I have no design 
on the young lady. I have already pledged my heart and 
hand to another.” 

“ And that other is who ? Not Miss Jenny, the barrow 
night’s darter ! ” 

“ The same.” 

“ Whew ! ” whistled Hez ; “ she’s pretty, but won’t she make 
things fly ? I tell yeou, she’s got a temper of her own.” 

“Most women have, Hez. Even your peerless Martha 
Poland could show a little if she was disposed to.” 

“ Yes, I s’pose so. But what does the daddy say ? Is he 
wiUin’?” 

“No” 

“ More fool he ! You is as good as he is, if not a darned 
sight better; and I’ll tell him so if ho talks to me on the 
subject.” 

“Thank you; but tell me about Amelia; what else did 
she say ? ” 

“ 0, not much, only that her life was blighted, and that 
she could never be happy again, and that I mustn’t speak 


468 


THE BUSHEA1JGBR8, 


to her about love any more, ’cos her heart was a ruinei 
heart; and then she shook hands with me and left. 1 
tell you I pitied her. So, that’s the way, yer see, that my 
love all went back to Martha.” 

I had no further opportunity to speak with Jenny that 
night. Her father complained that she was tired, and needed 
rest ; so hurried her off to a spare room, and, I think, locked 
her in; but of that I won’t be sure, as I did not venture 
near her apartment during the evening. But I had an 
hour’s uninterrupted conversation with Amelia, and found 
the poor child in better spirits and health than I could have 
supposed. She still remembered the injuries which she had 
received, and shuddered as she thought of them ; but all 
danger to her mind had passed. Insanity no longer threat- 
ened her active brain. But I missed all of her little coquet- 
tish airs, which at one time were so charming, and so well 
calculated to drive a lover or a sensitive person to the verge 
of distraction ; but instead, I found a quiet, womanly grace, 
a grave, dignified manner, that was full as engaging and 
delightful as the girlish manifestations which I had so much 
admired, yet at the same time detested on account of their 
being so trying to the feelings. 

“ And now, my dear friend,” Amelia said, as she laid her 
hand on mine, and looked up at my face with an earnest and 
feeling glance, “ they tell me that you are experiencing 
some trouble. I have told you all that concerns myself ; let 
me have your confidence. Tell me in what manner I can 
assist you. You know that my gratitude and will are strong 
enough to do so.” 

“ I know that they are ; but still I do not see how you 
can help me, Amelia. Time may render me some assist- 
ance, but at present I am fearful my happiness will be 
wrecked through the obstinacy of one person.” 

“ That must not be,” she said, with a gentle pressure of 
her hand. “ Sir William is not acquainted with your worth, 
or he would not refuse his consent to your marriage. I am 
sure that you are as good as she is ; in fact, as good as any 
woman in the world ; and most of them would be proud of you 


uTKinaVlKW WITH THE PET. 


469 

V « nusband. I will see Sir William and tell him all that 1 
know about you. He must lower his pride. He shall. 1 
win talh to him in such a manner that he will listen to me.” 

“ I fear that it will be in vain, my dear. Better let him 
pursue his own course. I think that I can count on the 
strength of Miss Jenny’s affection, and that, when the proper 
time arrives, she will make her choice, and cling to her 
father or myself. Of course I thank you for the interest 
you manifest in my affairs, but I think that daylight will 
be seen before long.” 

“ But I may speak to Sir William ? ” pleaded Ameli a 
“ Certainly, my child. You have full permission to say 
what you please. Only don’t praise me too much. He may 
think that you are overdoing it.” 

“ I wiU be careful ; ” and with these words I bade her good 
night, and retired to rest. 

The next morning the baronet stole a march on me; for 
he arose at an early hour, aroused his daughter, compelled 
her to dress, and then started for Bendigo an hour or two 
before we were up. I was astonished when I heard of 
the movement, and threatened to pursue the parties ; but 
Mr. Brown and Mr. Murden laughed at the idea, and coaxed 
me to remain and keep cool. 

Murden sent the Pet, a most miserable looking specimen 
of a prize-fighter, all knocked out of time, and no longer- 
able to stand on the defensive, to Melbourne, under the 
charge of two officers, with orders to make a complaint 
against the man, and hold him, on the ground of abduction. 

Sykes, I said, as the fellow mounted a horse and was 
then secured so that escape was impossible, “ I may never 
see you again. I bear you no malice, old fellow, even if 
you have ill-treated me at different times. Let me hope 
that you will escape punishment, and Hve an honest life in 
the future.” 

“ I don’t know what has come over me,” answered the 
Pet; “but I feels like throwin’ up the sponge and retirin’ 
from the ring, declarin’ aU bets off, and no more fighto ex. 
eept with the gloves. That’s the way I feel.” 


m 


THE BtJ8SRANGE&&. 


“ I am glad of it. Then there shall be peace ns." 

“ Yes, I suppose so, ’cos I’m down, and it’s hardly fair to 
hit a cove when he’s on his back. Good by, old fellow. If 
you splices my little Jenny, you gets a clipper, and no mis- 
take. She is as good and pure as old Fay’s brai iy. I 
knows it, ’cos I has watched her. At first I thought I’d 
wait till she growed up, and then I’d sell her ; but I has 
thought better of it, and now I’m glad of it, ’cos much as I 
hated her guv’ner, I liked the gal. She was just like my 
own flesh and blood ; ” and, with a tear in his eye, the prize- 
fighter rode oflf, and I did not again see him until he 
was free, and then he let himself to the missionaries, and 
travelled round the country distributing tracts, for the 
charge of abduction was not preferred by Sir William, after 
he reached Melbourne, for some reason or other. The min- 
isters got hold of the ex-prize-fighter, and made an impres- 
sion on his mind, and enlisted him in their cause ; and a 
valuable aid he was, going among the miners and natives 
and compelling them, for fear of his huge fists, to read his 
religious papers, and to abstain from profanity. It was in 
this manner he lost his life ; for, one day, while insisting 
that a drunken miner should turn from the wrath to come, 
should read one of his tracts, and contribute liberally of his 
wealth for the benefit of the church, they had a quarrel, as 
the miner differed from the Pet on the expediency of so 
doing. Sykes was inclined to be fanatical on certain points 
of divinity ; so he called the miner hard names, took him by 
the collar and shook him in a surly manner, — and then 
dropped to the ground, with a bullet in his left side, in the 
region of his heart, the miner thinking that cold lead was 
the proper manner of ending an argument. It did end it 
and the Pet’s life at the same time, for the wound proved 
mortal ; but before the man died he made a will, and left all 
his property — some five thousand pounds — to J enny, free 
of all control. The ministers begged him to remember the 
church, but the Pet refused ; and so he died, a repentant 
man, and a better one than his friends expected. Thug 
terminated the career of a desperate man, and at one time 


A BKPABATION. 


471 


A yery bad one. Let us hope that he met with some littlf 
favor in the next world, for his life was a hard one in this. 

After breakfast we started for Bendigo ; but when we 
arrived, we found that Sir William and his daughter were 
not there, as we expected. He had met one of the Mel- 
bourne stages, secured seats, and sent the horses which 
they had ridden to the station. Of course this was a great 
disappointment to me ; but I concealed all evidences of it 
as well as possible from my companions. 

“ I tell you what it is,” said Mr. Brown, while we were 
seated at the tea-table, and I was admiring the domestic 
life that he led, “ you had ought to be married, and settle, 
instead of wandering round the country, trying to get your 
neck broken ; that’s what you had.” 

“ So he had,” remarked Murden ; “ I quite agree with you.” 

“You are worse than he is,” retorted the amiable lady; 
“ you are older ; you should have been married ten years 
since. It’s a shame.” 

“ If you will spare us both, we’ll promise to get married 
at an early day ; in fact, as soon as we can find girls to 
have us,” Murden remarked, with a laugh and blush that 
puzzled me, for he was not accustomed to that sort of thing. 

Mrs. Brown graciously promised to comply ; so there was 
no more said on the subject of marriage. We passed the 
night at Mr. Brown’s house ; and the next morning, after 
breakfast, Murden and I prepared to separate, with no ex- 
pectation of seeing each other for some weeks to come, as I 
should be engaged at the mines, and he with the police force 
at Melbourne. At last, we grasped each other’s hands, just 
before we parted, and then Murden said, — 

“ I shall keep an eye on the doings of Sir William, and 
will let you know if there is any news of interest. So, 
good by, old fellow. Take care of yourself.” 

He mounted his horse, and was off ; and after a few words 
with Mr. Brown, I too turned my back on the town, and 
slowly cantered towards Smith’s station, feeling for the first 
time that I was homesick. 


473 


THfc ^USHKANGIRS. 


CHAPTER LXXI. 

GEinilRAX ETENTS. HASTY WEDDINGS. CONCLTIBIOar. 

I BEACHED Smith’s house at a late hour in the afternoon. 
I found the ladies at home, but the men were hard at work 
putting the machines in order, and getting ready to com- 
mence operations. I sat and talked with the ladies until 
Hopeful and Smith returned, which they did just at dark, 
tired with their day’s labor, but in most excellent spirits at 
the prospect before them ; for the quartz looked richer and 
richer the farther they advanced. In fact. Smith and 
Hopeful were so convinced that there were millions of 
dollars in the mountain, that they had staked off additional 
claims, intending to sell them as soon as the work com- 
menced, for we could not hope to keep our operations secret 
many days and we knew that as soon as the news spread, 
thousands of adventurers would flock to the mine and com- 
mence work. 

The next day we were up and had breakfast by daylight ; 
and just as the sun showed its face we were on our way to 
the mine, where we found our men hard at work, and with 
considerable zeal ; for we had engaged a stout young fellow, 
an American, from Vermont, to act as foreman of the gang, 
and he did not allow idleness when good wages were paid. 

In about a week, I received a letter from Murden which 
contained important information. He stated that Sir Wil- 
liam had engaged state-rooms on board the steamer 
“ Bounding Billow,” and was to leave for England in a 
short time. Jenny was reported as being dressed in the most 
fashionable clothes, and looking quite content at the prospect 
before her. I don’t think that I slept much that night. I 
thought ctf the deep love which I entertained for J enny, and 
how singular had been our acquaintance ; and then I made a 
resolution not to think of her again, and found that, like 
most resolutions which men make when a woman is con- 


amSBAL ETUfTS. 


473 


cerned, it was broken as soon as entertained. I think that 
it was about tn hour after daylight that I heard a great com- 
motion in the yard, as though some one had arrived most 
unexpectedly ; but as it was a matter that did not concern 
me, I turned over and tried to obtain a nap ; for since wt 
had got our stamps to work, and a full set of hands, it was 
not necessary that Hopeful or myself should be on duty at 
all hours. The labor went on whether we were present or 
absent. The quartz was crushed and the parts were sepa- 
rated just as rapidly as if we were standing near the 
machines. In the course of half an hour, after all was quiet 
outside, I heard some one coming up stairs, and the foot- 
steps sounded like Hopeful’s. A knock at the door assured 
me that it was my friend. 

“ Hallo ! ” he cried ; “ do you intend to sleep all day ? 
Come, rouse up and get breakfast.” 

“ What is your hurry ? ” I asked ; and stepping out of 
bed, let my friend enter the room. 

“ 0, I don’t know ; come down stairs.” 

“ Has any one arrived ? ” I asked. “ I thought that I 
heard a team enter the yard.” 

Hopeful did not hear me, or, if he did, failed to reply, for 
he was looking out of the window. 

“ You’d better put on some of your good clothes ; them 
store clothes, I mean,” Hopeful said, when he saw that I 
was about to mount the suit that I commonly wore at the 
mines. 

“ For what reason ? ” I asked, wondering what possessed 
the man. 

“ 0, ’cos you’ve looked rather slouchy of late, and I wank 
to see you spruce up. Come, do it to oblige me.” 

“ Anything to oblige you, Hez ; ” and on went a neat- 
fitting suit, with a white linen shirt. 

After I was dressed, my partner surveyed me with evident 
marks of approval, and then led the way down stairs. 

“ You go into the settin’-room for a minute,” he said, and, 
opening the door, pushed me in, closing the door after me. 

1 sa^ a lady sitting in one corner of the apartment, bul 


474 


THE BUSHRANQEES. 


Jis the window-shade was down I did not catch a glimpse of 
her face until she arose and stcod before me ; then, to my 
intense surprise, I saw that the lady was IMiss Jenny, with 
ribbons, silk dress, and all that went towards making a 
fashionable toilet in that distant part of the world. I was 
too much astonished to utter a word, for I had not the 
faintest suspicion that the lady was within fifty miles of me ; 
and while I was wondering if my eyes did not deceive me, 
the dear girl came towards me, and put her arms around my 
neck, and pressed her soft velvet cheek to mine. 

“ Are you not glad to see me she whispered. 

I could only kiss her and lead her to a seat, striving to 
still the wild beating of my heart as I did so. I could not 
speak. I was too much overpowered for words. The sur- 
prise was too sudden. 

“ Can’t you give me a word of welcome ? ” J enny whis- 
pered ; and I felt the warm pressure of her hand, as she 
bent forward to look in my eyes. 

I could only throw my arms around her trim waist and kiss 
her red lips. She appeared to like it, for she made not the 
slightest objection. 

“ Tell me how you came here,” I said, when I could 
recover myself. 

“ In a wagon,” was the answer. 

“ And your father — where is he ? ” 

“In Melbourne, I suppose. I left him there, getting 
ready to sail for England.” 

“ Then he did not know of your coming here ? ” 

“ Of course not ; if he had, he would have interfered, and 
prevented me from visiting you. He said that I was not to 
see you again. I intimated that I should ; and Fve kept 
my word. Here I am. What do you intend to do with me ? ” 

That was a question not easily answered ; so I said at a 
venture, “ PU give you some breakfast.” 

She pouted a little at the answer, as though she was not 
pleased with it. 

“I don’t mean that, although goodness knows I am 
hungry enough. But I mean — ” 


GKNBEAL EVENTS. 475 

She pnt up her month as she spoke ; sc T took the hint, 
and kissed it. 

“ I mean,” she whispered, “ will you give me up when 
the guVner comes after me ? That’s what I mean.” 

“ But win he come after you ? ” 

“ I suppose so ; hut I won’t go unless you go with me. I 
have made up my mind to that effect, and nothing shall 
change me. Without you I should bo miserable — with you 
I shall bo happy.” 

“ Tell me how you managed to get here,” I asked ; for 
she had not yet related that portion of her adventures. 

“ 0, simple enough. I just fixed up a bundle, hired a 
man with a horse and wagon to take me, and here I am, a 
little tired, but glad enough to see you. I have been riding 
all night.” 

“ You shall have some breakfast, and then retire, and 
obtain that rest which you so much need,” I said. “ Come, 
I think that the morning meal is already on the table.” 

“ Ah,” said Hez, as he took his seat at the table, “ 1 
reckon some folks is mighty glad that I made ’em change 
their shirt this mornin’. Some folks lock aU the better for it.” 

“Yes, and some folks might have let me into the secret 
cf a certain lady’s arrival, and not taken me by surprise.” 

About twelve o’clock, who should drive up to the house 
but Mr. Commissioner Murden, his hcrse covered -vfith foam 
and perspiration, as though he had ridden many miles at a 
gallop. 

“ How fortunate that you are at home ! ” the officer said, 
as we shook hands. “ I have news for you. Sir William’s 
daughter has disappeared, and we have traced her towards 
the bush, but cannot find her. She may have fallen into tha 
hands of some prowlers. Will you help me search for her ? ’* 

“ Yes, come in.” 

He entered the hi use, and I presented him to Jenny. 

“ Confusion !” he ejaculated. “ Are you married ? ” 

“ No. What a question ! ” 

“ Then you are the biggest fool in Victoria. A man without 
enterprise, energy, and pluck, don’t deserve a pretty wife.” 


476 


TEE BUSHBANQEBS. 


“ What would you Lave me do ? " 

“ A warm-blooded man, and ask that question I I am 
ashamed of you.” 

“ Murden,” I said, in a grave tone, “ all through my life 
I have been ashamed to do wrong, I cannot think of chan- 
ging at this hour. I should despise myself for committing a 
dishonorable act. You would not recommend me to do so.” 

“No, I don’t think I should,” answered the commis- 
sioner; “but I don’t suppose it is dishonorable to marry a 
girl whom you love and who loves you, as I shall show you.” 

He crossed the room, put his arm around Amelia’s neck, 
and kissed her; there being no resistance on the lady’s 
part. I was astonished, and my looks expressed as much. 

“ Forgive me,” Amelia said, in a plaintive tone, turning 
to me as though an apology was due ; “ but he says that he 
has long loved me, and I — I rather like him.” 

“ Then be happy, both of you, for happiness you deserve. 
And to think that I never suspected such a thing ! ” 

“ We’ll be married this very day ! ” cried the commis- 
sioner ; “ it’s a month sooner than we intended, but Amelia 
is willing.” 

The young lady was heard to murmur something about 
not having a suitable dress ; but the remonstrance was 
drowned in a kiss. Jenny saw this little side-play, and her 
eyes sparkled, and her cheeks flushed. She put one arm 
around my neck, and looked into my face with such a roguish 
glance that I felt my heart melting. 

“ Come,” she whispered, “ let’s get married at the same 
time as them does.” 

“ But your father, Jenny ! ” 

“ I’d rather have a husband than a father. Can’t you act 
as both?” 

“ Look here ! ” cried the stout-hearted Murden ; “if you 
lose time, you’ll lose a wife, for Sir William will bo here in 
a day or two, and if he has the legal right, he’ll take his 
daughter to Melbourne in double-quick time, and you’ll 
never see her again. Be guided by your heart, and not by 
a nice sense of honor.” 


HASTY WEDDIHGS. 


477 


“ Be glided by me,” whispered Jenny. “ I will not lead 
/on astray. I love yon.” 

At this instant a carriage dashed into the yard. I ran to 
the window in some alarm, for fear that Sir William had 
arrived. To my surprise, I saw Mr. Brown, the Bendigo 
commissioner, dismount, and then help out a venerable old 
gentleman, who wore a white neck-handkerchief and black 
coat. I took him to be a clergyman, and I was not 
mistaken. 

“ I sent for them,” said Murden. “ They are on time. 
Fm to be married within an hour. Will you follow suit ? ” 

“ Bo,” pleaded Amelia. 

“ Please do,” pleaded Jenny. 

What man, with ever so nice a sense of honor, could stand 
up against such entreaties, especially when his heart was 
interested ? I could not ; I loved the girl much better than 
I supposed I was capable of loving. It was my first only 
love ; so when she held up her red lips for me to kiss, and 
once more whispered, “ Bo you want to kill me ? ” I threw 
my arms around her slender waist, and pressed her to my 
bosom, promising to unite my fate with hers as soon as pos- 
sible. 

“ Hurrah ! ” shouted Murden ; “ the victory is won. I’ll 
send for Hopeful, Smith, and Hackett, immediately. By 
thunder, we’ll have a jolly time of it ! ” 

One of the farm hands was despatched to the mine to 
call them, while the ladies retired to change their dresses, 
and get ready for the ceremony. Mr. Brown rushed into 
the room, as though pursued by a whole gang of bushran- 
gers, First he shook hands with Murden and myself, and 
kept up the experiment as long as we would consent to 
such an arrangement. He was in a state of perpetual 
excitement, and perspired at every pore. Then we went 
to the dining-room and drank some wine, to keep our 
courage up under the trying ordeal through which we had to 
pasys ; and by the time we had finished a bottle, and Murden 
and I had changed our clothes for some that were suitable 
for a wedding, in came our friends, wondering, surprisedt 


478 


THE BUSHRANGERS. 


and withal delighted. They couldn’t understasid how it 
had been brought about, but were pleased with the aspect 
of affairs. Smith hurried to the kitchen, and told the oc- 
cupants of it to prepare a feast that would reflect credit 
on the house. There was to be no stint, and expense was 
not to be regarded ; and then the honest fellow tumbled up 
the stairs to consult his wife on his dress and behavior on 
the occasion. How she managed I don’t know; but when 
Smith appeared, he had on a white shirt, and a light vest, 
gloves, and neat boots ; and I will give him the credit of say- 
ing that a more uncomfortable looking man I never saw 
while he was thus arrayed. Presently the ladies sailed 
down the stairs, in all the glory of white dresses, laces, 
flowers, and other articles of feminine attire, blushing, 
whimpering, giggling, and whispering at the same time. 

“ You first,” said Murden, in a whisper ; “ my heart begins 
to fail me.” 

He urged me forward, and I found myself leading Jenny 
to the minister, hearing the reverend gentleman utter a few 
words, being surrounded, and congratulated, and wished 
all manner of prosperity; and then I awoke to the fact 
that I was married, and that a handsome young lady was 
standing by my side, radiant with happiness, youth, and 
beauty. 

Then came Murden’s turn. He led forward a tearful 
bride ; for could Amelia forget the past, even while looking 
forward to the future with every expectation of happiness ? 
But the police commissioner acted the part of a man, a ten- 
der, loving one, and did what he could to cheer her, ind 
whispered words of comfort to her ; but tears did not 
cease to flow until after the ceremony was completed, and 
Mrs. Smith had folded her in her arms. Then a smile ap- 
peared on her handsome f%ce, and the tears were dried up. 
I stepped forward, and was about to bestow a kiss on the 
handsome lips of Mrs. Murden; but Mrs. Jenny laid her 
gloved hand on my arm and restrained me. 

“ I am sorry to interrupt you in your good intentions,” my 
handsome wife said: “ but be kind enough to recollect that 


COlfCLUSlOlT. 


47il 

/on are a married man, and that your wife is rather fond of 
kisses, especially such as you bestow.” 

This was the commencement of her tyranny over me, and 
she has pursued just such a course ever since, strongly ob- 
jecting to my flirting, smiling, or even kissing any one 
excepting herself. Well, thank Heaven, I have had no in- 
clination to turn from her sweet face, for I think just as 
much of her now as the day I was married. Her love is 
just as valuable as then. 

The day passed quickly, for we feasted, and planned for 
the future, and the ladies consulted as to what they should 
do, and what they shguld wear; and Hopeful moped round 
the house, and thought of Martha Poland, wishing that 
she was near him, and made queer remarks until it was time 
to retire ; and just as we were debating the question. Hover 
gave a prolonged howl, as though something disagreeable 
was near, and into the yard dashed a pair of horses and a 
carriage. 

“ It’s my guv’ner,” murmured Jenny, and drew near to 
me, and laid one of her hands on my shoulder. 

There was a thundering knock at the door. Smith opened 
it, and in stalked Sir William, my wife’s father. 

“ Child,” he said, “ what is the meaning of this ? ” 

“It means,” answered Jenny, “that I’m his wife, and 
that there’s no use in kickin’ up a row ; so just give us your 
hand, and say no more about it. I mean to stick to him, 
’cos I loves him, and that’s all about it.” 

“ Is this true ? ” asked the baronet. 

“ It is true. We were united this morning,” I answered 

Sir William breathed hard, and his eyes Sashed. For a 
moment I could not tell where the lightning was to strike. 
Silence reigned in the room. Even a sigh could he heard. 
I was prepared for violence, but I was not prepared for the 
manner in which Sir William held out his hand and came 
towards us. 

“ You shall both have my blessing, although I am disap- 
pointed. Hut perhaps it is all for the best.” He kissed his 
daughter, shook nands with me, with all those present, an^ 


480 


THK fiUSHBANGEBS. 


then asked for something to eat, just like the humblest of 
mortals. 

The next morning Sir William and 'I had a long confer- 
ence. He made me promise that Jenny should receive a 
good education, that we would visit England as soon as pos- 
sible, and stop with him for a long time ; and that if I 
wanted money I would draw on him to any amount. Then 
he took leave of his daughter in an affectionate manner, and 
left us to our happiness. I kept my promise, although Jenny 
was too precious to trust to a boarding-school. I hired a 
lady teacher, and she came and lived with us, and took 
charge of Jenny’s education ; and su^ was the progress of 
my handsome wife, that in a year’s, time she could speak 
good English, understood a little music, and could read and 
write as readily as most girls of her age. In the mean time, 
the stamps continued to work, and th6'^old to flow into our 
treasury, until we were rich beyond our most sanguine ex- 
pectations. At last we had enough, and then we sold out 
and left Australia for home, by the way of England, leaving 
Smith and his family, Murden and his family, and Mr. Brown 
and his family, prosperous and happy ; merchants of high 
standing, for they retired from the police department soon 
after my marriage, and succeeded in a more engaging 
business. 

I have no more to relate. My wife received a warm, 
tearful welcome from her mother and father, but our son was 
more petted than the mother. I was present when Hopeful 
was married to Martha Poland. He makes her a good hus- 
band, and she is all that a wife should be. They are the 
happiest couple in HiUsboro* County, New Hampshire. 
Hackett is still in Australia, rich, jolly, and a believer 
in mine is and its prosperity. Rover is with me, old, but 
rigorous. 




THE GOLD HUNTERS’ ADVENTURES* 

OR, WILD LIFE IN AUSTRALIA. 


By WM H. THOMES. aujior of “The Bushrangers,” “The Gold Hunters in Europe,” 
A Whaleman’s Adventures,” “Life in the East Indies,” “Adventures on a 
Slaver, “Running the Blockade,” etc., etc. 



“ Now for a rush.— Cut them to piecesl” 

A F A S C I N AT I N^^ST OJR F ADVENT I* RB- 



A whaiemans Adventures 


AT SEA, IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS AND CALIFORNIA. 



□By 'WM:. h* thcomes. 

Author of “The Gold Hunters’ Adventures in Australia,” ‘‘The BusHBANaEBS,** 
‘‘ Kunning the Blockade,” etc., etc. 


Xll-ULMt3rAtecl -vcritla. *ri3.ix**y-Siac E'ijaes XSxxea^A-V'ixi.ss* 

SOLD ON ALL BA^WA^ I^BAINS AND BY ALL BOOKSSLLBBft. 





THE DETECTIVE’S' DAUGHTER. 


ILLUSTRATIONS.^ 



“ She wondered If she would feel much, different if she were dead! ” 


By LAWRENCE L. LYNCH, 

AUTHOR OF 

“SSADOWZD Sir TXXUZE.” 


FOR SALE ON THIS TRAIN. 



i ILimi ADYENTTOES 


ON SEA AND LAND. 



By WM. H. THOMES, 

4utbor of ” The CfOLD Huktebs’ Adtbntxtres in Australia,’* ** The Bushbanoebs,’* 
“Bunking the Blockade,” etc., etc. 


IU.U8TRATED WITH FORTY ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS, 


mXLO OK ALL BAILWAT TBAIKS AKD BY ALL BOOKSELLi;B& 


CATALOGUE 


No. 1, Jan. 1, 1889, Now Ready. Price, 25 cents. 

A Whaleman’s Adventures on Sea and Land. i2mo, 444 
pages, 36 full-page Illustrations. By Wm. H. Thomes. 

A vivid story of life on a whaler in the Pacific Ocean, and of adventures in the 

J Sandwich Islands, and in California in the early days when the discovery of 
gold electrified the whole world, and attracted bold men to wrest the mines 
of wealth from the possession of Mexicans and Indians. 


No. 2, Feb. 1, Now Ready. Price, 25 cents. 

The Gold Hunters in Australia. i2mo, 564 pages, 41 full 
page Illustrations. ■* By Wm. H. Thomes 

An exciting story 6f adventures in Australia at the timi’ '^hen the discovery of 
gold drew thither a motley crowd of reckless, daring men. It is>.writteB 
B with a grapliicness th$,t makes the reader an actual participant in th4 stirring 
■r scenes depicted, ^ ' 

^ No. 3 , March 1 , Now Ready. Price, 25 cents. 
Madeline Payne, the Detective’s Daughter. i2mo, 456 pages, 
45 full-page Illustrations. By Lawrence L. Lynch. 

“A very intere^ing and exciting story. It abounds in incidents and surprises.” 
The OhicagoTnter-Ocean. ' “The story is spirited, full of action, and char- 
acters of much finer cast than common, wliile the language is chaste, effect- 
= ive, and exceedingly picturesque.” — The Detroit Free Press. ‘ ' 

No. 4, Ready April 1. Price, 25 cents. 

|The Bushrangers : A Yankee’s Adventures during a Second 
f Trip to Australia. i2mo, 480 pages. Profusely illustrated. 

The record of a second voyage to that land of mystery and adventures — 
Australia — and replete with equally ^exciting exploits among the most lawless 
class of men. A Sequel to “ The Gold Hunters’ Adventures.” 

' t .vr." 

Wm. H. Thomes’ Tales of Adventure on Land and Sea 

^Comprise: “A Whaleman's Adventures,” “The Gold Hunters in Australia,” 
“The Bushrangers,” “Running the Blockade,” “A Slavei^s Adventures” 

I ''The Gold Hunters in Europe,” “Life in the East Indies.” ' 

, Jhe graphic and stirring writings of Mr. Thomes are familiar to the trade as accepted staples 
. flo^ain or netlon. Their popularity was at once so marked as to bring forth numerous 
imitators, but no rivals, and to-day their pre-eminence remains unimpaired. 


Lawrence L. Lynch’s Famous Detective Stories 

Comprise: “Madeline Po/yne.the Detective's Daughter,” “Dangerous Ground; 
or. The Rival Detectives,” “A Mountain Mystery; or. The Outlaws of the 
Rockies,” “Out of a Labyrinth.” 

n fascinating volum,es are powerful novels, with the ever attractive detective element as 

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rultoH //a« says; “Such literature has its place In the world, and possesses the 

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The ^ a. fondness that will bear no hlntof’partlng.“ 

Intensely Interesting.’' The Daily 
wim oHwiL ® pleasing and forcible wrtter, and hasa most happy manner of relating the 

wild adventures encountered during his long experience In the secret service.” 

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